Mpumalanga Murder Inquiry Launched After 17-Year-Old Found Strangled In Holiday Cabin; 19-Year-Old Believed To Have Died By Suicide

South African police have opened a murder investigation after two young people were found dead in a self-catering holiday cabin near Sabie, Mpumalanga. Early post-mortem results indicate the 17-year-old pupil died of strangulation while the 19-year-old found with her is believed to have taken his own life, authorities and family sources say.

What Officials Have Said

Col. Mavela Masondo, a police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, confirmed that the matter has been opened to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the deaths of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, and Ethan Coetzee, 19. Preliminary examinations reportedly showed different causes of death for the two young people: strangulation for the younger victim and suicide for the older.

"Investigations are continuing to establish exactly what occurred," Col. Masondo said.

Scene and Early Inquiries

The bodies were discovered on a Monday in the same room of a self-service cabin near Sabie, roughly 350 kilometres from Johannesburg. Local media initially reported that police were exploring several lines of inquiry, including a possible drug overdose, before post-mortem results were available.

Family Statement and Independent Pathology

Cameron Waldeck-Cooks was a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls' College; Ethan Coetzee had recently completed his studies at the affiliated Boys' College in 2025. In a statement, Cameron's parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, said they had appointed a private forensic pathologist. The family's expert advised them that preliminary findings point to strangulation and suffocation in their daughter's death.

The parents said they were informed on Aug. 3 that a man named Graham Coetzee had discovered their daughter's body. Local reports, including TimesLIVE, identified Graham Coetzee as the girl's reported boyfriend; both young people were found in the same room.

Ongoing Investigation

Police have not named a suspect or publicly detailed the precise nature of the relationship between the two deceased. Investigators in Mpumalanga have not released additional forensic details or a timeline beyond the initial post-mortem findings and the discovery at the holiday cabin.

Tributes

St Stithians College issued tributes to both students. The school remembered Cameron — a pupil at the college since Grade R — for her character and achievements, and described Ethan as an accomplished athlete and strong student.

Note: This account is based on statements from police, family representatives and local media reports. Authorities continue to investigate and have not released conclusive public findings beyond the preliminary post-mortem results.