A 17-year-old South African schoolgirl has been allegedly murdered while working towards a prestigious award. The body of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks was found in a room of a lodge in Mpumalanga, South Africa, on Monday, August 3.
Cameron 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.
Investigation upgraded to murder
Cameron was invited to join two families on the trip, and Ethan Coetzee, 19, was also part of the group. Cameron was a pupil at the elite St Stithians Girls' College, while Ethan enrolled from the school's Boys' College in 2025.
Both Cameron and Ethan's bodies were discovered and an inquest was initially opened. The inquest was subsequently upgraded to a murder case, and authorities said preliminary post-mortem findings indicated that Cameron may have died by strangulation, while Ethan is believed to have died by suicide.
Family's statement
In a statement posted to Facebook, Cameron's parents Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks said: "We were notified on the morning of 3rd of August 2026 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."
They asked that speculation not be presented as fact while the investigation and forensic processes remain ongoing.
Cameron's parents described her 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."
