In a shocking turn of events, police in Mpumalanga have revealed that the  Grade 11 learner from St Stithians Girls’ College in Johannesburg, whose body was found in Mpumalanga on Monday, had strangulation marks on her neck.

A police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Col. Mavela Masondo, confirmed to media outlets today that the results of the autopsy on Cameron Waldeck-Cooks (17) showed that she was possibly strangled.

Her body was found in a lodge outside Sabie along with the body of Ethan Coetzee (19), a former pupil of St. Stithians Boys’ College in Johannesburg.

The police initially opened two inquest dockets, but Masondo says this has now been changed to a murder charge and an inquest docket.

Masondo says it appears Coetzee took his own life. It is not yet known how he died, although it was reported earlier that police were looking into the possibility that drugs were involved.

“The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga is now investigating a case of murder and an inquest following the deaths of two teenagers at a certain lodge in Sabie. An inquest docket was initially opened. However, following postmortem results, a case of murder was added. The postmortem results suggests that the 17-year-old female may have been strangled, while the 19-year-old male may have taken his own life.”

Earlier today, Cameron’s parents posted a heartfelt tribute to their daughter, calling for an end to speculation about her death.

Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks say Cameron had joined two families on a hiking trip in Sabie, as part of her goal to reach the Gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment.

They were notified on the morning of 3 August that Graham Coetzee discovered her body.

“We appointed an independent forensic pathologist who has advised us that his preliminary findings indicate that Cameron died as a result of strangulation and suffocation. The police have confirmed that they have opened a murder investigation.”

“We are aware that conflicting and unverified accounts concerning the circumstances of Cameron’s death have been reported. We ask that speculation not be presented as fact while the investigation and forensic processes remain ongoing.”

They described Cameron as a deeply loved daughter, sister, family member, friend and student.

“She was kind-hearted, warm and determined. She had a quiet strength, cared deeply for those around her, and naturally encouraged and supported younger girls who looked up to her. Her loss has left an immeasurable void in our lives.”

In two Facebook posts on Wednesday, St Stithians paid tribute to both Waldeck-Cooks and Coetzee, who graduated in 2025. Both young people had attended the school since Grade R.

*This article has been updated to include a statement made by Cameron’s parents.