Two weeks after the body of a St Stithians learner was discovered in Mpumalanga, new allegations have emerged in connection with the tragedy raising the possibility that gender-based violence may have been a factor in the death of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks.

A new report suggests her boyfriend, Ethan Coetzee, who allegedly had the passwords to Cameron’s social media accounts and access to her phone, was jealous and controlling.

The bodies of Waldeck-Cooks and Coetzee were discovered at a lodge in Sabie on 6 August.

According to police, the case, initially treated as an inquest, has been reclassified as murder following the release of post-mortem examination results.

Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that the autopsy findings indicate that Waldeck-Cooks, a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College, may have been strangled. The examinations also revealed that Coetzee, who matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College in 2025, likely died by suicide.

The latest developments have raised further questions about the circumstances surrounding Cameron’s death, including whether gender-based violence may have been a factor.

According to a Sunday newspaper, which cited sources said to be close to the investigation, Ethan allegedly had access to Cameron’s social media accounts and phone and allegedly monitored her online activity. His jealousy was reportedly “well known” among those close to her, with sources describing him as possessive and controlling.

They also alleged that he had recently become enraged over her being friendly with boys from her rowing team. Ethan had reportedly been accepted at Stellenbosch University but withdrew, allegedly because he did not want to be apart from Cameron.

Following Cameron’s death, her father, Derrick Cooks, shared a Facebook statement, featuring an image of the teen alongside a purple ribbon, a symbol associated with domestic and gender-based violence.

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