Final hours: A timeline of one tragic weekend in Sabie for Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and Ethan Coetzee
· The South African
Sensitive content: this article deals with the death of a minor and details of an ongoing murder investigation.
Background: Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College, was working towards the Gold level of the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment.
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The South African version of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award requires a multi-day adventurous journey.
When she was invited to join two families on a hiking trip to Sabie, Mpumalanga, she saw it as her chance.
Ethan Coetzee, 19, who matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College in 2025, was also part of the group.
Monday, 3 August, morning Discovery: Graham Coetzee discovers Cameron’s body at the lodge in Sabie. Both Cameron and Ethan are found dead in a room at the lodge. No specific time of morning is given in any of the reports.
Monday, 3 August Family Action (Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks): Cameron’s family appoints an independent forensic pathologist.
Tuesday, 4 August Social Media Update: St Stithians College posts two separate tribute statements on Facebook, one for Cameron and one for Ethan. Full details in The South African’s report.
Wednesday, 5 August, 21:34 Police Statement: Colonel Mavela Masondo confirms an inquest has been opened. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine cause of death. No indication of foul play, suicide, accident or illness is given at this point. Reported in full by The South African.
Friday, 7 August, 12:39 Police Statement: The inquest is upgraded to a murder case. Masondo states preliminary post-mortem findings show the female may have died by strangulation, while the male is believed to have died by suicide. See The South African’s coverage.
Friday, 7 August (assumed, same statement) Police Statement: Police ask the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances of the deaths while the investigation continues.
Friday, 7 August, 18:37 Cameron’s Parents’ Statement (Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks): Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks release a full statement via Facebook, confirming their own independent pathologist’s findings of strangulation and suffocation. Full statement carried by The South African.
Friday, 7 August (same statement) Cameron’s Parents’ Statement (Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks): Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks say they are not in a position to give interviews or comment further at this stage. They ask media and the public to protect the privacy of the family and the children affected by Cameron’s death.
Friday, 7 August (same statement) Cameron’s Parents’ Statement (Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks): Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks thank the Saints community, Cameron’s friends, and the netball and rowing communities for their support during this time.
Friday, 7 August (same statement) Cameron’s Parents’ Statement (Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks): Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks confirm a memorial service for Cameron will be held later in August, with further details to be shared at the appropriate time.