A woman’s body was found at a prestigious school in Sydney’s CBD late Wednesday.
Emergency services were called to St Andrew’s Cathedral School on Kent and Bathurst Street in Sydney’s central business district.
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The woman has been identified as Lilie James. Her body was found in the toilet area of the gym.
Police have established a crime scene on the grounds of the 138-year-old independent Anglican school in the heart of the city.
Ms James, aged in her early 20s, was employed at the school, which has 1,440 students.
In an official statement, the police said: “The woman’s death is being treated as suspicious; however, a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”
Superintendent Martin Fileman said Ms James was found with “serious head injuries”.
“From her injuries, it was apparent she was the victim of a homicide,” he said.
“The actual scene was quite confronting for the police that turned up.”
Investigating officers were searching for a man in his 20s, who was also working for the school.
St. Andrew’s Cathedral School announced on Thursday morning that the institution would remain closed for most students, except those scheduled to sit year 12 exams.
The decision was made in response to the “onsite death overnight,” as the school administration seeks to address the situation with the utmost care.
The school’s spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the institution, said that no students were involved in the incident and reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat.
“An area of the school, not accessible to students, is a crime zone, and we await the approval of police before bringing everyone back on site.”
The spokesperson also expressed the school’s commitment to providing support to the affected students and their parents by offering counselling services during this difficult time.
As detectives from the state crime command’s homicide squad, in conjunction with local police, delve into the investigation under the code name Strike Force Trineura, a second crime scene has been established in Vaucluse, an eastern suburb of Sydney.
Authorities are actively exploring potential links between the two scenes, and investigations are currently underway to establish any possible connections.
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