Seventeen-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks was found dead in a room of a lodge in Mpumalanga, South Africa, on Monday, August 3, 2026. The teenager was on a five-day hiking trip as part of her work towards The President's Award for Youth Empowerment, the South African implementation of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, which requires a multi-day, adventurous journey.
Murder investigation opened
Authorities said preliminary post-mortem findings indicated that Cameron may have died by strangulation, and the inquest was upgraded to a murder case. Ethan Coetzee, 19, who was part of the group, is believed to have died by suicide. Both of their bodies were discovered, and an inquest was initially opened.
Cameron was a pupil at the prestigious St Stithians Girls' College, while Ethan graduated from the school's Boys' College in 2025. He had joined two families on the trip.
Parents' statement
Cameron's parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, wrote in a post on Facebook: "We were notified on the morning of 3rd of August 2026 that Graham Coetzee discovered her body." They added: "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."
The parents asked 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," they wrote. "Her loss has left an immeasurable void in our lives."
