The parents of St Stithians Girls’ College learner Cameron Waldeck-Cooks have spoken publicly about the devastating loss of their daughter following the discovery of her body at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga.
Cameron, 17, was a Grade 11 learner at the prestigious Johannesburg school. Her death, together with that of 19-year-old former St Stithians Boys’ College pupil Ethan Coetzee, has shocked the school community and prompted a police investigation.
The teenagers were found dead inside a room at a holiday lodge in Sabie on Monday, 3 August 2026.
Police initially opened an inquest while waiting for post-mortem results to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Investigators had not initially confirmed that foul play was involved.
However, the case took a dramatic turn on Friday after preliminary post-mortem findings led police to upgrade the inquest to a murder investigation.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said preliminary findings indicated that Cameron may have died from strangulation, while Ethan was believed to have died by suicide.
Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck, have now shared their grief and provided further information about their daughter’s final days.
According to the family, Cameron had travelled to the Sabie area after being invited to take part in a multi-day hike. The trip formed part of her efforts to work towards the Gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, which is linked to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
The family said Cameron viewed the opportunity as an important step towards achieving that goal.
They were reportedly informed on the morning of 3 August that her body had been discovered at the lodge.
Cameron’s parents said they appointed an independent forensic pathologist to examine the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s death. They said the pathologist’s preliminary findings indicated that Cameron died as a result of strangulation and suffocation.
The family welcomed the police investigation but urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims while forensic examinations and other investigative processes remain underway.
In their statement, Cameron’s parents described her as a much-loved daughter, sister, family member, friend and learner whose death had left an enormous void.
They remembered her as kind-hearted, warm, determined and quietly strong. According to the family, Cameron cared deeply about those around her and was particularly supportive of younger girls who looked up to her.
The tragedy has deeply affected the wider St Stithians community, with messages of sympathy and support being shared with the family.
Cameron’s parents thanked the school community, fellow schools and members of the public for standing with them during an extraordinarily difficult period.
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two teenagers. Authorities are expected to consider further forensic evidence and information from witnesses as they work to establish exactly what happened at the Sabie lodge.
The family has also confirmed that a memorial service for Cameron will be held later in August, giving loved ones, friends, classmates and members of the school community an opportunity to remember her life and pay their respects.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no final conclusions should be drawn until all relevant evidence has been considered by authorities.
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