Loved ones of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, the St Stithians Girls College learner who was allegedly murdered in a game lodge alongside her rumoured boyfriend, Ethan Coetzee, have hinted that her death was a result of gender-based violence (GBV).
The teens – reportedly in a relationship – had been on a hiking expedition in the Sabie nature reserve in Mpumalanga in the lead up to the double tragedy.
Their deaths and the circumstances behind it has sent shockwaves across South Africa.
CAMERON WALDECK-COOKS FAMILY HINT AT GBV
Since news of preliminary post-mortem findings that Cameron Waldeck-Cooks may have died by strangulation/suffocation, and that Ethan Coetzee likely ended his life via suicide, the families of both teens have released statements to the public.
Cameron’s brother has also shared a bombshell Instagram post in which he accused Ethan of being a “murderer”.
On their Facebook accounts, Cameron’s father, Derrick Cooks, uncle and aunt Michael and Lyndell Cooks, all posted the same statement, which featured an image of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed teen, with a purple ribbon graphic, which signifies domestic and gender-based violence.
Among the tributes, grandmother Tess Cooks expressed her appreciation to all who offered their condolences.
Lyndell, who lives in the Netherlands with her husband Michael and their two children, liked a host of Facebook comments, some of which included the following:
“I sincerely hope the justice system does its job, as sadly so many GBV cases are just dismissed”
“The promising life of this amazing woman was ended for 0 sensible reason.”
TEEN RELATIONSHIP
According to a statement by Ethan Coetzee’s family, the 19-year-old was in a relationship with Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, who had accompanied them on a five-day hike in Sabie last week.
Ethan’s father, Graham Coetzee, allegedly discovered their bodies in the early morning of Monday, 3 August, in their room at the Waterval Self-Catering Lodge in Mpumalanga.
The family disputed that Ethan was involved in the alleged murder of his girlfriend. They claimed that there was “no sign of an altercation” and that Ethan “sustained no injuries consistent with a struggle”.
They added that the couple appeared happy the night before their deaths.
Ethan was described as “kind, gentle and loyal”, particularly towards Cameron.
