A weekend hiking trip near Sabie in Mpumalanga has ended in tragedy after two young people were found dead inside a lodge room, prompting a murder investigation by police.

The victims were identified as 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 in 2025.

Their bodies were discovered at a holiday lodge on the morning of 3 August.

What initially appeared to be an inquest has since become a murder investigation after post-mortem examinations raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Cameron’s death.

Cameron Was on a Hiking Trip

Cameron had travelled to the Sabie area with two families for a hiking trip connected to her preparations for the Gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, the South African equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

She had been a pupil at St Stithians College since Grade R and was known within the school community for her involvement in sport.

The teenager was an accomplished rower and netball player, according to the college.

Her death has left her family, friends and school community grappling with the loss of a young woman described by her parents as warm, kind-hearted and determined.

Police Upgrade Case to Murder Investigation

Mpumalanga police initially opened an inquest after the two bodies were discovered.

The case was later upgraded to a murder investigation following post-mortem examinations.

Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said preliminary findings indicated that Cameron may have died from strangulation.

Ethan, meanwhile, was believed to have died by suicide.

The circumstances surrounding the two deaths remain under investigation, and police have not indicated that the preliminary findings represent the final outcome of the investigation.

Family Calls for Restraint

Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, commissioned an independent forensic pathologist to examine their daughter’s death.

The preliminary findings from that examination also pointed to strangulation and suffocation.

In a statement, the family described Cameron as a warm and determined young woman whose death had created an “immeasurable void” in their lives.

They also appealed to members of the public and the media to avoid speculation while investigators work to establish exactly what happened at the lodge.

The family’s appeal comes as police continue examining the evidence and circumstances surrounding the deaths.

St Stithians Mourns Former and Current Pupils

St Stithians College expressed deep sadness following Cameron’s death and remembered her as a valued member of its community.

The school said she had been part of St Stithians since Grade R and had distinguished herself in both rowing and netball.

The circumstances of her death have also cast a shadow over the wider school community, given Ethan’s connection to the college. He completed his matric at St Stithians Boys’ College in 2025.

A memorial service for Cameron is expected to take place later this month.

Investigation Continues

The deaths have raised serious questions about what happened inside the lodge room before the two young people were found.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances and have not yet provided a final account of how the events unfolded.

For Cameron’s family, the immediate priority remains grieving a daughter whose life was cut short at just 17.

For investigators, the task now is to establish the sequence of events, determine how Cameron died and establish the circumstances surrounding Ethan’s death.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content