The bodies of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, from the elite St Stithians Girls’ College, and Ethan Coetzee, 19, who matriculated last year from St Stithians Boys’ College, were found in a bedroom at a guesthouse in Mpumalanga.
Cameron Waldeck-Cooks’ boyfriend, Ethan Coetzee, allegedly had the passwords to all her social media accounts and her phone.
A preliminary police report indicates that Ethan had hanged himself, while police confirmed Cameron had been strangled.
Police say the investigation is at an “advanced but sensitive stage”.
The boyfriend of murdered St Stithians Girls’ College pupil Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, allegedly monitored her online activity obsessively.
“He had the passwords to all her social media accounts and her phone,” a source told News24’s sister publication Rapport.
Ethan Coetzee, 19, a former top pupil at St Stithians Boys’ College, was found dead alongside Cameron last Monday after taking his own life. The young couple had been staying with Coetzee’s family at a guesthouse in Mpumalanga at the time of their deaths.
A source with intimate knowledge of the couple’s relationship said Ethan was “super controlling” and watched Cameron’s social media accounts like a hawk.
Rapport understands that Coetzee’s jealousy was a frequent topic of conversation among Cameron’s friends. He allegedly flew into a rage recently because Cameron was reportedly being too friendly with boys in the rowing team.
Coetzee had apparently been accepted to study at Stellenbosch University this year but changed his mind at the last minute, reportedly not wanting to be away from Cameron.
Coetzee’s father, Graeme, discovered the couple’s bodies at the guesthouse in Sabie last Monday.
News24 understands a preliminary police report indicates that Coetzee had hanged himself. Police earlier confirmed that Cameron had been strangled.
According to a source close to the investigation, a close family member cut Coetzee down and attempted to resuscitate him before police were eventually called.
“When the officers arrived, the teenager was on the floor with close family members around him.”
Graeme declined to comment, saying the family and friends are simply asking for privacy and space to grieve.
Colonel Mavela Masondo, police spokesperson, said the investigation is at an “advanced but sensitive stage” and that no further information can be disclosed as police do not want to hamper the investigation.
“At this stage, we have the inquest and a case of murder. “Further information can, of course, come to light as we investigate the case, but no additional or separate cases have been opened at this stage,” he told Rapport.
The deaths have left the St Stithians community and families in Sandton and beyond reeling. Both schools are known for their high academic standards and strong sporting programmes, and the loss of two young people from such prominent backgrounds has hit hard.
Cameron was still a pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College, while Ethan had completed his matric at St Stithians Boys’ College the previous year. Friends and former classmates have described them as a couple who were often seen together, but behind the scenes, some say the relationship was marked by control and jealousy.
The guesthouse where they were found is in Sabie, a town in Mpumalanga known for its forests and mountain scenery. It is a popular spot for families looking for a quiet break, but it has now become the scene of a tragic and deeply disturbing case.
Police have not released further details about the exact circumstances leading up to the deaths, but the preliminary findings point to a violent end for Cameron and a suicide for Ethan. The investigation remains ongoing, with officers working to piece together the final days and hours of the couple’s lives.
The revelation that Ethan allegedly had access to all of Cameron’s social media accounts and her phone has raised concerns about digital control in young relationships. Experts have long warned that monitoring a partner’s online activity can be a sign of an unhealthy and potentially dangerous dynamic.
Friends of Cameron say they had noticed signs of tension in the relationship, with some recalling moments when Ethan appeared angry or possessive. The rowing team incident, in which he allegedly became upset over Cameron’s interactions with male teammates, is one example cited by those close to the pair.
Ethan’s decision to turn down a place at Stellenbosch University, reportedly to stay close to Cameron, has also been highlighted by those who knew him. It suggests a level of attachment that some now view in a different light, given the tragic outcome.
The discovery of the bodies by Ethan’s father, Graeme, has added another layer of pain to an already devastating situation. The image of a parent finding his son and his son’s girlfriend dead in a guesthouse room is one that will stay with the family and the wider community for a long time.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward, but they have also stressed the need to protect the integrity of the investigation. With an inquest and a murder case now open, the focus is on establishing a clear timeline and understanding what led to the deaths.
For now, the two families are left to mourn in private, while friends and former classmates struggle to make sense of what happened. The case has also sparked wider conversations about relationships, control and the warning signs that can be missed until it is too late.
As the investigation continues, more details may emerge. But for those who knew Cameron and Ethan, the pain of losing two young lives in such a sudden and violent way will not fade quickly.
