JOHANNESBURG – The elite St Stithians College community is reeling following the chilling discovery of two young lovers found dead in a holiday home near Sabie, in what police suspect to be a tragic drug overdose. The bodies of 17-year-old Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee were found face up on a bed by cleaning staff on Monday morning, bringing a devastating end to a relationship that had blossomed within the halls of the prestigious Randburg institution.
While initial reports spoke of a "mysterious tragedy," fresh details from the investigation have pointed toward a much darker reality. A call made to the 10111 emergency number reportedly stated that the two teenagers had died of an overdose at the property. While paramedics were called to the scene, the two were certified dead on arrival, and police have confirmed that no foul play is currently suspected.
The Discovery at Waterval
The tragedy unfolded at the Waterval Self-Catering Holiday Home, a scenic five-bedroom house situated on a hill overlooking the Sabie valley. The property, located just outside Sabie on the R37, was meant to be a place of retreat for the young couple. Instead, it became the site of a horrific discovery.
At approximately 07:30 on Monday morning, staff members entered the room to clean, only to find the lifeless bodies of the teenagers lying side by side. The owner of the house, Anton Bezuidenhout, expressed his shock at the news, stating that he only learned of the incident through media reports days later. The property had been managed by a rental agent for the past five years.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened. “A post-mortem examination will be conducted at the state mortuary in Lydenburg to confirm the cause of death,” Masondo stated, as the community waits for scientific confirmation of the suspected overdose.
A Relationship Born at Saints
Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College, and Ethan Coetzee, who matriculated from the Boys’ College in 2025, were believed to have been in a committed relationship for some time. Their journey together was deeply rooted in the St Stithians family, where both had spent over a decade of their lives.
Cameron, who started Grade R in 2015, was a natural leader and a mentor in the rowing programme. Described as a supportive "big sister" to younger pupils, she was an accomplished sportswoman who excelled in both rowing and netball. Her peers and coaches remembered her for her "quiet strength" and genuine care for those around her.
Ethan, a 2025 matriculant who began his journey at Saints in 2013, was a young man of "strength, commitment, and humility." He was a standout rugby player for the 1st XV and a national champion in eventing, an equestrian sport. His charisma and ability to make others feel valued had forged strong connections throughout his school years.
A College in Mourning
St Stithians rector Celeste Gilardi issued a heartbreaking statement, describing the school community as "shaken to its core."
“Words cannot adequately capture the depth of grief we carry as a college,” Gilardi said. “We weep with those who weep, and we hold the families and loved ones of those we have lost in our prayers during the darkest of days. As we absorb the impact of this devastating news, we remain steadfastly focused on supporting the families and assisting our students and staff with navigating this loss.”
The tragedy has resonated far beyond the borders of St Stithians, with tributes pouring in from across the independent school network. Deon Oerson, head of Holy Rosary School, noted that Cameron’s passing had deeply touched their rowing community, while St Benedict’s College described the loss of two young lives as a "grief that words can barely hold."
The Shadow of the Overdose
The suspicion of a drug overdose has added a layer of profound concern to the tragedy. In a statement from St Benedict’s College, the school reminded parents to "hold our own children a little closer," a sentiment that has echoed through the affluent suburbs of Johannesburg where both teenagers were raised.
For the families of Cameron and Ethan, the focus remains on the immense loss of two "beautiful souls" taken far too soon. The St Stithians flags fly at half-mast, not just for a rugby player and a rower, but for two children of the Saints family whose promising futures were cut short in a quiet bedroom in Mpumalanga.
As the Lydenburg mortuary prepares to release the post-mortem findings, the community remains united in sorrow, determined to honour the memories of Ethan and Cameron while grappling with the difficult questions their deaths have raised.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days as the families seek to bring their children home for a final farewell.
