‘She was deeply loved’: Father of St Stithians pupil speaks after murder probe

The family of St Stithians Girls’ College pupil Cameron Waldeck-Cooks is in mourning as details surrounding her death at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga, come to light. The father of St Stithians Girls’ College pupil Cameron Waldeck-Cooks has revealed heartbreaking details surrounding his daughter’s death, saying the family was informed on the morning of August 3 that her body had been discovered at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga. Derrick Cooks said his 17-year-old daughter, a Grade 11 pupil at the school, had travelled to Sabie for a hiking trip connected to her work.

“Cameron was working towards the Gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, the South African implementation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award,” Cooks said. “As part of the programme, she was preparing to complete a multi-day adventurous journey. When she was invited to join two families on a hiking trip in Sabie, Mpumalanga, she saw it as an opportunity to work towards that goal.” Cameron and formerSt Stithianspupil Ethan Coetzee, 19, were found dead together in a room at the lodge.

“Cameronwas 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.

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Her loss has left an immeasurable void in our lives,” her father said. Cooks said the family had appointed an independent forensic pathologist, whose preliminary findings indicated that Cameron had been murdered. “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.” Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that the investigation had been escalated. Preliminary findings suggested that Cameron may have died from strangulation, whileEthanmay have died by suicide. “Upon arrival at the scene, members found a 19-year-old male and a 17-year-old female.

Both were declared dead at the scene,” Masondo said. An inquest docket was initially opened while investigators worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. “However, following post-mortem results, a case of murder was added,” Masondo said.

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