The alleged controlling behaviour of Ethan Coetzee towards his girlfriend, St Stithians Girls’ College pupil Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, has emerged following the couple’s deaths in Mpumalanga.
Cameron, 17, and Coetzee, 19, were found dead in a bedroom at a guesthouse in Sabie last Monday. A preliminary police report indicates that Coetzee had hanged himself, while police have confirmed that Cameron was strangled.
Sources familiar with the couple’s relationship have alleged that Coetzee closely monitored Cameron’s online activity. One source told Rapport: “He had the passwords to all her social media accounts and her phone.” Police have said the investigation is at an “advanced but sensitive stage”.
[St Stithians Pupil Cameron Waldeck-Cooks May Have Been Strangled As Police Open Murder Case]
The couple had been staying with Coetzee’s family at the guesthouse when they died. His father, Graeme, discovered their bodies in the room. Police have opened an inquest and a murder case as investigators work to establish exactly what happened.
St Stithians Couple Deaths: Alleged Control And Social Media Passwords
A source with intimate knowledge of the relationship described Coetzee as “super controlling”. The source alleged that he watched Cameron’s social media accounts closely and that his jealousy had been discussed among her friends. These claims have emerged as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Coetzee allegedly became angry recently over Cameron’s interactions with boys from her rowing team. According to the source, he believed she was being too friendly with members of the team. The alleged incident is among several claims about jealousy within the relationship.
The alleged access to Cameron’s phone and social media accounts has also drawn attention. The source said Coetzee had the passwords to her accounts and phone, allowing him access to her online activity. The allegations have not been confirmed by police as findings of the investigation.
Ethan Coetzee’s Alleged Jealousy And Stellenbosch Decision
Coetzee had reportedly secured a place to study at Stellenbosch University this year. However, sources said he changed his mind at the last minute because he did not want to be separated from Cameron. The reported decision has since become part of the accounts emerging about the couple’s relationship.
Cameron was still a pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College, while Coetzee completed his matric at St Stithians Boys’ College last year.
Friends and former classmates knew the pair as a couple who were often together. Behind that public image, sources have alleged that the relationship was affected by jealousy and controlling behaviour.
Police have not said that these reported relationship dynamics caused or directly contributed to the deaths. Investigators are continuing to establish the events that led to Cameron being killed and Coetzee’s death. No additional or separate cases have been opened at this stage, according to police.
Cameron Waldeck-Cooks Murder: Police Reveal What Is Known
Colonel Mavela Masondo, the police spokesperson, said investigators were being cautious about releasing information. “At this stage, we have the inquest and a case of murder.” He said further information could emerge as the investigation progresses.
[Cameron Waldeck-Cooks’ Brother Breaks Silence After Teen’s Death In Mpumalanga Lodge]
“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,” Masondo told Rapport. He said police did not want to release information that could hamper the investigation.
A source close to the investigation said a family member cut Coetzee down and attempted to resuscitate him before police were called. “When the officers arrived, the teenager was on the floor with close family members around him.”
St Stithians Community Mourns Couple After Sabie Deaths
Coetzee’s father discovered the bodies at the guesthouse in Sabie. Graeme declined to comment, saying the family and friends were asking for privacy and space to grieve. The deaths have since left the St Stithians community and the families of both teenagers mourning.
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The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain the subject of an active investigation. Police have confirmed that Cameron was strangled, while the preliminary report indicates that Coetzee hanged himself. Investigators are working to establish a clear timeline of the events leading up to the deaths.
The allegations about passwords, social media monitoring and jealousy provide new details about the relationship, but they remain allegations from sources familiar with the couple. Police have not confirmed these claims as findings. The investigation and inquest are expected to establish further details about what happened in the days and hours before the couple were found dead.
