The brother of 17-year-old St Stithians Girls’ College learner Cameron Waldeck-Cooks has broken his silence following her death at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga.
Cameron and former St Stithians Boys’ College learner Ethan Coetzee, 19, were found dead in a lodge room on Monday, August 3.
According to Mpumalanga South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, police were alerted to a complaint about two people who had died at the lodge.
Officers found the bodies of a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl. Both were declared dead at the scene.
Police initially opened an inquest docket.
However, Masondo said the results of post-mortems indicated that Cameron had allegedly been strangled, while Coetzee allegedly took his own life.
Cameron’s brother speaks out
In a social media post, Cameron’s brother, also named Ethan, said his sister did not die peacefully.
“Her corpse lay lifeless; with injuries in several parts of her body. She did not pass peacefully,” he wrote.
He also spoke about his relationship with Coetzee, saying the teenager had always treated him with kindness and respect and had positively influenced his family.
“But to me, all his virtuous deeds mean nothing now. My sister was only 17-years-old, and her life was taken away from her. I know my sister and what she stands for,” he said.
Ethan also criticised what he described as insensitive headlines about his sister.
He said seeing Cameron’s photograph alongside Coetzee’s was difficult to accept.
“The trauma he caused her and my family will not be forgotten,” he said.
He thanked those who had shown kindness and support to his family following Cameron’s death.
Police investigation continues
SAPS has confirmed that investigations into the deaths are continuing.
Se-Anne Rall
iol.co.za
