St Stithians Murder Investigation: Cameron Waldeck-Cooks Honoured by President's Award
- The President's Award for Youth Empowerment confirmed Cameron Waldeck-Cooks was a Bronze Award holder and Gold Award participant at the time of her death
- Cameron's parents revealed an independent pathologist was involved following the 17-year-old's death at a Sabie lodge on 3 August
- Mpumalanga police upgraded their investigation from an inquest to a murder case after post-mortem examinations were completed
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The President's Award for Youth Empowerment has paid tribute to Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, the 17-year-old St Stithians Girls' College learner whose death in Sabie is now the subject of a murder investigation by Mpumalanga police.
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The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment confirmed that Cameron was a Grade 11 learner who had already earned her Bronze Award and was progressing towards the Gold Award at the time of her death.
The organisation remembered the 17-year-old as a committed participant whose warmth, kindness and determination made an impact on those around her. It sent its condolences to her family, friends and the wider school community.
Cameron’s parents remember their daughter
Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, remembered their daughter as a warm, compassionate and determined young woman.
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They said Cameron had travelled to Sabie after being invited to join a hiking trip. Her involvement in the President’s Award programme was among the activities she was pursuing, with the Gold Award still a work in progress.
Her death, they said, had created an “immeasurable void” in their family.
The couple also revealed that they had involved an independent pathologist following their daughter’s death, as questions surrounding the circumstances of the incident continue to be investigated.
Cameron was discovered dead at a Sabie lodge on Monday, 3 August, alongside 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee, a former St Stithians Boys’ College learner. Ethan’s father, Graham Coetzee, had previously remembered his son as a young man who loved sport and spending time outdoors. His family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with his death.
Murder case opened after post-mortem
Mpumalanga police initially approached both deaths as an inquest matter. Following post-mortem examinations, however, the investigation was escalated, and a murder case was opened in connection with Cameron's death.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding both cases remains active. The President's Award said it was keeping Cameron's loved ones in its thoughts during what it described as a profoundly difficult time.
Student dies after collapsing during rugby match
Briefly News previously reported that Paul Klaasen, an 18-year-old first-year student at Akademia's Paarl campus, collapsed during an informal touch rugby game on Monday evening
Staff, fellow students and emergency services responded to the scene but were unable to save the BEd student
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
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