St Stithians tragedy: Cameron honoured amid murder investigation
A new tribute has revealed more about 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks as police continue investigating her death in Sabie, Mpumalanga. The President’s…
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A new tribute has revealed more about 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks as police continue investigating her death in Sabie, Mpumalanga.
The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment has confirmed that the St Stithians Girls’ College Grade 11 learner was a Bronze Award holder and Gold Award participant.
“Cameron was a dedicated Bronze Award holder and Gold Award participant whose warmth, kindness and determination touched those around her,” the organisation said in a statement.
It extended its condolences to her family, friends and school community.
The tribute follows statements from the families of Cameron and 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee, who were found dead at a lodge in Sabie on Monday, 3 August.
Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, described their daughter as warm, kind-hearted and determined.
They said she had been working towards completing the Gold level of The President’s Award and had travelled to Sabie after being invited on a hiking trip.
Her parents said her death had left an “immeasurable void” in their lives.
They also confirmed that an independent pathologist had been involved following Cameron’s death.
Ethan, a former St Stithians Boys’ College pupil, was also remembered by his family following the tragedy.
His father, Graham Coetzee, previously described his son as a young man who loved sport and the outdoors.
The family asked for privacy while mourning their loss.
Mpumalanga police initially investigated the deaths through an inquest.
However, the investigation took a significant turn following post-mortem examinations.
Police subsequently opened a murder case in connection with Cameron’s death. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding both deaths remains active.
Police have not publicly announced an arrest or identified a suspect in both murder investigations.
The President’s Award said it was keeping Cameron’s loved ones in its thoughts during what it described as a profoundly difficult time.