Explosive Allegation Rocks St Stithians Murder Case

New claims have surfaced following the tragic murder of St Stithians learner Cameron Waldeck-Cooks. A social media post, purportedly from Cameron’s brother, Ethan Waldeck-Cooks, has publicly accused Ethan Coetzee of being responsible for the 17-year-old’s death. This serious allegation has emerged while police continue their ongoing murder investigation into the incident, though authorities have not yet publicly identified Coetzee as Cameron’s killer.

Reports indicate that posts, bearing the name of Cameron’s brother, appeared on both Instagram and X. These posts not only accused Coetzee of the murder but also expressed criticism regarding how Cameron and Coetzee have been portrayed together since their deaths. However, the accuracy and authorship of these social media posts by Cameron’s brother could not be independently confirmed by the report, nor have the allegations been officially corroborated by the police.

The events leading to the deaths occurred at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga, where Cameron and Coetzee, aged 19, were discovered dead on August 3. Cameron was a Grade 11 student at St Stithians Girls’ College, while Coetzee had matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College in 2025. Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, previously stated they were informed that morning by Graham Coetzee, who reportedly discovered Cameron’s body. Other accounts suggest Graham Coetzee found both teenagers at the lodge. SAPS officers responded to a complaint around 07:50, finding the two teenagers deceased at the property and declaring them dead at the scene.

Initially, police opened an inquest into the deaths. However, the nature of the case drastically shifted following post-mortem examinations. Preliminary findings from these examinations suggested that Cameron Waldeck-Cooks had been strangled, prompting the police to upgrade the case to a murder investigation. In response, Cameron’s family also engaged an independent forensic pathologist. Her parents confirmed that the preliminary findings from their appointed expert supported the conclusion that their daughter’s death was a result of strangulation and suffocation.

Despite the severe allegations made on social media and the ongoing murder investigation, police have not yet named a suspect. They have also not announced any arrests in connection with Cameron’s murder, nor have they publicly identified any individual as a suspect or confirmed the claims made in the social media posts. It was noted that Cameron had traveled to Mpumalanga as part of a hiking trip.