An inquest into the death of the popular water polo coach and St Andrew's Cathedral School sports assistant was told of her killer's extensive stalking and "dry runs" before he viciously bludgeoned her in October 2023.
The 21-year-old had days earlier ended her brief relationship with colleague Paul Thijssen, a Dutch citizen in Australia on forged documents.
A three-day inquest, beginning on Tuesday, will examine coercive control and unacceptable behaviour in relationships, in an attempt to prevent similar deaths.
The inquest was told the pair - both employed as sport assistants at St Andrew's - had a casual two-month relationship Ms James broke off five days before her murder on October 25.
Ms James told a friend on October 21 she "didn't want to be in a meaningless relationship with Paul" and was keen to "have a break from boys", the inquest was told.
Hours later, without her knowledge, Thijssen began the first of seven stalking events over four days, hiring share cars to drive to her home and local train station.
Images shown to the inquest appeared to be the 23-year-old's attempt to catalogue each car parked near the James' family home.
Dozens of CCTV clips captured Thijssen planning his attack at the school in Sydney's city centre.
In several "dry runs", he rehearses entering the bathroom where he would murder Ms James, practising opening the door with either hand.
He later blocks off one adult bathroom that required a key to enter.
"It is chilling, disturbing footage," counsel assisting Jennifer Single SC said in her opening address.
Ms Single said Thijssen's preparation was calculated.
"It was not a momentary loss of control - it was a premeditated killing," she said.
"The killing itself was overkill."
The inquest revealed Thijssen had stalked an earlier partner and spun a web of deceit about his time in Australia.
His lies duped Ms James, friends, housemates, his employer and - with numerous forged documents - Australian visa authorities.
He doctored letters, payslips and references to support working holiday visas obtained in late 2021 and 2023.
Thijssen told numerous people about being enrolled in a masters of teaching degree, even pretending to go off to study at times.
But police found no record of his enrolment at any Sydney university.
Another lie - which Ms James confronted him about two days before her death - involved Thijssen setting up a fake Snapchat account in another woman's name.
"Paul's reaction to being found out was to lie and to try to paint himself as the victim with another woman stalking him," Ms Single said.
After murdering Ms James, Thijssen took his life in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
His body was recovered two days later.
The Thijssen family says it has evidence his life had "become derailed" before the death but that information has not been provided to the coroner.
The parents of Ms James attended the opening day, although they are not represented by lawyers at the inquest.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is among several expert witnesses to appear during the inquest.
Forensic medical experts are due to give evidence on Wednesday morning.
In witness statements, Ms James has been remembered as a gregarious, sporty woman who "it seemed ... could do anything."
Her boss said she was wonderful at her role and "always smiling".
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
21°C