"The Tragic Loss": St Stithians Under Fire for Handling of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks Murder Case

• St Stithians College faced public backlash over how it responded to the deaths of two students following murder-suicide allegations rooted in gender-based violence
• Broadcast journalist Alan Ford accused the school of prioritising its reputation over acknowledging the female victim, Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, who police confirmed was strangled
• The school released a Women's Day statement after criticism that it honoured the male student more prominently and proceeded with a rugby tournament without marking Cameron's death

St Stithians College, one of Johannesburg's most prominent private schools, is facing intense public criticism over the way it communicated the deaths of two students connected to a suspected murder-suicide in Sabie, Mpumalanga.

Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, a 17-year-old Grade 11 netball star and netball star at St Stithians Girls' College, was found dead alongside 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee, a former first-team rugby player and school alumnus, inside a room at a holiday lodge on 3 August 2026. The two had been part of a hiking expedition in Sabie, which Cameron joined to fulfil requirements for the Gold level of The President's Award for Youth Empowerment.

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Family points to new findings following death of St Stithians teen Cameron Waldeck-Cook

An independent forensic pathologist commissioned by Cameron's family determined that she died from strangulation and suffocation. Following those findings, the South African Police Service upgraded the case from an inquest to a formal murder investigation on 7 August 2026. Preliminary investigations suggest Coetzee allegedly strangled Cameron before taking his own life.

Alan Ford calls out the school's response

Broadcast journalist Alan Ford took to social media to condemn how the school publicly handled the tragedy on his Facebook page. He argued that early tributes grouped the two students in a way that obscured the allegations made by Cameron's family and gave greater prominence to Coetzee, focusing on his rugby profile and achievements. Ford accused school administrators of prioritising institutional reputation over accountability and the dignity of the young woman who died.

The school drew further criticism for proceeding with a Women's Day weekend rugby tournament without observing a moment of silence or having players wear armbands in Cameron's honour.

School issues Women's Day statement

Under mounting pressure, St Stithians released a statement on Women's Day acknowledging that the school community remains in deep mourning following Cameron's death. The statement extended condolences to her family and reaffirmed the school's commitment to women's rights, dignity, and equality. It also recognised that significant work still lies ahead, both nationally and within the school itself, to address violence against women.

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Ethan Coetzee’s family breaks silence as Cameron’s death is probed as murder

Cameron's parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, have since broken their silence with an emotional public statement. They described their daughter as a "deeply loved daughter, sister, family member, friend and student" with a "quiet strength" and a warm, encouraging heart. They also urged the public and media to stop circulating unverified accounts while official forensic and criminal investigations continue. A formal memorial service for Cameron is scheduled for later in August 2026.

As of 10 August 2026, Coetzee's family had begun challenging certain aspects of the evolving case, while investigators continued processing forensic evidence to establish a definitive timeline of what happened inside the lodge.

South Africans react to the tragic incident

@Judy Swart

"So much truth. This article speaks truth for all the females who never speak up or don’t get an opportunity before it's too late."

@Ashvir Maharaj said:

"So the autopsy reflects she was strangled. I’m sure they can confirm the exact death of his death by now..."

@Yogi Moor

"Are all suspected murderers treated with such dignity, respect or reverence? Or just some of them? This is the question I can't shake..."

@Syanda Shange

"Glad they're getting called out. Saw whole threads of people trying to paint Ethan as a good child. No good child premeditates the murder of someone who means him no harm."

@Mapule Dibakoane asked:

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"We are mourning, we are angry": Women For Change grieves loss of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks

"Wait... why is it difficult to accept that he did what he did?"

See the Facebook post here.

More on Cameron Waldeck-Cooks

• Briefly News recently reported on Women For Change mourning Cameron's death and calling attention to South Africa's ongoing GBV crisis on Women's Day.
• In another story, St Stithians College marked Women's Day while grieving Cameron's death, using the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to equality.
• Meanwhile, Cameron's family shared a new statement alongside a purple ribbon, as Ethan Coetzee's family disputed any involvement in her death.

Source: Briefly News