St Stithians College Tragedy: Police Open Murder Case As Post Mortem Suggests Strangulation, Suicide
- A major development has changed the police investigation into the deaths of two St Stithians College teenagers in Sabie
- Investigators are still working to establish exactly what happened before the teenagers were found dead
- The latest findings come as the St Stithians College community continues mourning the loss of two young lives
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Police have opened a murder case following new post-mortem findings into the deaths of two St Stithians College teenagers whose bodies were discovered at a holiday home near Sabie, Mpumalanga. The investigation was initially treated as an inquest, but authorities say the medical examination has prompted detectives to pursue a murder charge while they continue gathering evidence.
The development was confirmed on Friday, 7 August 2026.
St Stithians College deaths investigation takes new turn
The bodies of Grade 11 pupil Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, and former St Stithians College pupil Ethan Coetzee, 19, were found at a lodge in Sabie on Monday.
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Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the findings from the post-mortems led investigators to register an additional charge.
JacarandaFM reports that Masondo said,
"The post mortem results suggest that the 17-year-old female may have been strangled, while the 19-year-old male may have taken his own life."
He added:
"The investigation is still continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident."
St Stithians College pays tribute to Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and Ethan Coetzee
As the investigation continues, St Stithians College has honoured both teenagers.
The girls' college described Waldeck-Cooks as someone remembered for her "kindness, warmth and determination", adding that she lived with "resilience, quiet strength and a genuine care for those around her."
The boys' college paid tribute to Coetzee, saying he was known for his "strength, commitment and humility" and his enthusiasm in the classroom, on the rugby field and in serving others.
Police continue gathering evidence
Police have not announced any arrests and say the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to establish what happened before the deaths.
The latest development marks a significant shift in the case, but authorities say further investigations are needed before the circumstances can be fully determined.
St Stithians College deaths were initially investigated as suspected drug-linked case
Briefly News previously reported that police initially opened an inquest after the bodies of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and Ethan Coetzee were found at a holiday home near Sabie on Monday.
At the time, investigators were exploring whether the deaths could be linked to suspected drug use while awaiting the outcome of the post-mortems. Those findings have since prompted police to open a murder case as detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
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Source: Briefly News
