True Crime Expert Examines Ethan Coetzee’s Alleged Control Over Cameron Cooks Before Her Murder

• The bodies of 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee were found at a Sabie lodge in Mpumalanga, with police upgrading the case to murder after autopsy results
• New reports alleged Ethan held passwords to all of Cameron's social media accounts and monitored her movements closely
• South Africans were deeply disturbed by the emerging details, with many calling for greater awareness around teen relationships

New details have emerged around the deaths of two South African teenagers whose bodies were discovered at a holiday guesthouse in Sabie, Mpumalanga, earlier this month. True crime commentator @thabo_baloyi_ broke down the latest reports on 17 August 2026, drawing widespread attention from South Africans following the case.

Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, was a Grade 11 student at St Stithians Girls' College in Johannesburg. She had travelled to the Mpumalanga area as part of a hiking trip for The President's Award for Youth Empowerment. Ethan Coetzee, 19, a former student at St Stithians Boys' College, was at the same lodge with his family.

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Their bodies were found on 3 August 2026. Police initially opened an inquest docket but later upgraded the matter to a murder investigation after autopsy results came in. Both state authorities and an independent pathologist commissioned by Cameron's family concluded she died from strangulation and suffocation. Ethan was found to have died by suicide.

Controlling behaviour alleged

The TikTok commentary highlighted a report from sources close to the deceased, which painted a troubling picture of the couple's relationship. According to those close to Cameron, Ethan reportedly had access to all of her social media accounts and passwords, and monitored her online activity closely. Sources described him as intensely jealous and said his possessiveness was something Cameron's friends frequently discussed among themselves.

In one reported incident, Ethan became enraged after he felt Cameron had been too friendly with a boy from her rowing team. Separately, despite being accepted to study at Stellenbosch University, he chose not to go, reportedly because he did not want to be far from Cameron.

Cameron's brother publicly condemned tributes directed at Ethan on social media, stating that his sister "did not pass peacefully." Ethan's family, however, maintained there were no signs of a struggle and that he had loved Cameron deeply.

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Mzansi reacts to the tragedy

South Africans were deeply shaken by the unfolding details and shared their thoughts in the comments section of the TikTok page:

@Kylie_Hanger asked:

"1st of all, why are teenagers allowed to go to a lodge by themselves with no adults?"

@Lee 🇿🇦 shared:

"After being in an abusive relationship at the age of 16, I'm now 40. I advised my daughter to not get into a serious relationship whilst being young. I didn't know better, but I could pass on what I've learned. May her soul rest in peace."

@Omlette_du_Fromage wrote:

"And I'm the bad mother for not allowing dating till 30 years old!!"

@MaDlaba 🤍 said:

"They were just babies, man 💔"

@Nhlanhla Sibiya🇿🇦 wrote:

"I suspected as much."

Watch the TikTok commentary that sparked the conversation:

More stories on the Cameron Waldeck-Cooks case

• Briefly News recently reoported that a private investigator urged South Africans to stop speculating about Cameron and Ethan's deaths.
• Fresh allegations about Ethan's alleged controlling behaviour have prompted a wider conversation about coercive control and teen relationships.
• Cameron's younger brother has shared emotional tributes that offer a glimpse into the family's grief as the investigation continues.

Source: Briefly News