The parents of ‘murdered’ St Stithians student Cameron Waldeck-Cooks have shared their pain and heartbreak after her tragic death…
Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck, the parents of St Stithians student Cameron Haldeck-Cooks, who was allegedly killed in a murder-suicide involving former matriculant Ethan Coetzee, have broken their silence following the double tragedy.
The teens’ bodies were discovered in a Sabi game lodge in Mpumalanga on Monday, 3 August.
Police have confirmed that an initial inquest has been upgraded to a murder charge. ST STITHIAN TEENS DEATH: POLICE OPEN MURDER CASE
On Monday, 3 August, the bodies of 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College, and 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee, who matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College last year was found in a room at a holiday lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga.
Police initially confirmed that an inquest docket would be opened while awaiting post-mortem results to determine how the pair died. They had initially suspected that no foul play was involved.
However, on Friday, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that the inquest had been upgraded to a murder case.
He stated: “Following the preliminary post-mortem findings, police have opened a case of murder for investigation after it was established that the female may have died as a result of strangulation, while the male is believed to have died by suicide.”
St Stithians teens Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and Ethan Coetzee were found dead in a Sabie game lodge on Monday, 3 August.
Images via Facebook
CAMERON WALDECK-COOKS’ PARENTS BREAK SILENCE
Meanwhile, the father of Cameron Walden-Cooks, a Grade 11 learner at St Stithians Girls College, has broken his silence.
Derrick Cooks, a business consultant, and Claire Waldeck, an attorney, said in a statement that Cameron had been invited to the Sabie lodge for a multi-day hike. This was part of her quest in working towards the Gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, which is part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
“She saw it as an opportunity to work towards that goal. We were notified on the morning of the 3rd of August 2026 that Graham Coetzee discovered her body.
“We appointed an independent forensic pathologist who has advised us that his preliminary findings indicate that Cameron died as a result of strangulation and suffocation.
“The police have confirmed that they have opened a murder investigation.
The Waldeck-Cooks acknowledged the high-profile nature of the St Stithian teens’ death and appealed to the public not to present speculation as fact, as the forensic process was still ongoing.
The grieving parents shared: “Cameron was a deeply loved daughter, sister, family member, friend and student. She was kind-hearted, warm and determined. She had a quiet strength, cared deeply for those around her, and naturally encouraged and supported younger girls who looked up to her. Her loss has left an immeasurable void in our lives.
They also thanked St Stithian community, fellow schools and the public for their messages of support.
Cameron will be remembered in a memorial service held later in August, they confirmed.