St Stithians tragedy: Cameron honoured amid murder investigation
· The South African
A new tribute has revealed more about 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks as police continue investigating her death in Sabie, Mpumalanga.
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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.
Parents remember Cameron
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’s family pays tribute
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.
Police open murder case
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.