South African paralympic star Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder and is in custody after reportedly shooting his girlfriend dead in the middle of the night after mistaking her for a burglar.
It happened at 4am this morning and the woman may have been killed after a Valentine's Day surprise went tragically wrong at his mansion in Pretoria.
The dead woman is Reeva Steenkamp, 30, a former FHM model who has been dating the 26-year-old for two months.
She was shot in the head, the chest and the arm, police in the country have said, and Mr Pistorius will appear in court later today after a blood test in hospital.
Pretoria police spokeswoman Denise Beukes confirmed he had been charged with murder, adding they had been called to his home on several occasions since 2011 to deal with 'allegations of a domestic nature'.
Just yesterday Miss Steenkamp spoke excitedly on Twitter about her plans for Valentine's Day.
She said: 'What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay'
Replying to a follower, she later added: 'That sounds amazing! Wow that's what it's all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed!'
It happened at 4am this morning and the woman may have been killed after a Valentine's Day surprise went tragically wrong at his mansion in Pretoria.
The dead woman is Reeva Steenkamp, 30, a former FHM model who has been dating the 26-year-old for two months.
She was shot in the head, the chest and the arm, police in the country have said, and Mr Pistorius will appear in court later today after a blood test in hospital.
Pretoria police spokeswoman Denise Beukes confirmed he had been charged with murder, adding they had been called to his home on several occasions since 2011 to deal with 'allegations of a domestic nature'.
Just yesterday Miss Steenkamp spoke excitedly on Twitter about her plans for Valentine's Day.
She said: 'What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay'
Replying to a follower, she later added: 'That sounds amazing! Wow that's what it's all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed!'
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| Charged: Oscar Pistorius, his head lowered and face covered, leaves the Boschkop police station in Pretoria for a blood test at hospital prior to being taken to court |
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| Incident: Oscar Pistorius is believed to have shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 30, a former FHM model, pictured together in November |
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| Star: Oscar Pistorius has reportedly been arrested this morning having shot his girlfriend in the head and arm, killing her |
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| Message: Reeva yesterday went on to Twitter to say how excited she was about Valentine's Day |
Mr Pistorius, 26, is widely known as the Blade Runner, and has also been dubbed 'the fastest man on no legs'.
The Johannesburg athlete, who was born without fibulas in his legs and had the limbs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, had to win a legal battle over his blades with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 2008 for the right to compete in able-bodied competition.
He was the first double amputee to run in the able-bodied Olympics and reached the 400 semi-finals in London 2012.
Pistorius's father Henke said his son was 'sad', adding: 'I don't know nothing. It will be extremely obnoxious and rude to speculate. I don't know the facts.
'If anyone makes a statement, it will have to be Oscar. He's sad at the moment.'
His agent Peet van Zyl is heading to Pretoria to speak to his client.
'I hope I can have access to him at the police station,' he said.
'Oscar is a humble person and a lovely guy – I’m sure what’s happened has been a terrible mistake but I really don’t have the details at the moment.'
Pretoria police would not confirm the man's identity until he appears in court, adding a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene and a case of murder is being investigated.
Officers are still busy with preliminary investigations at the scene, and statements are being taken from neighbours on the luxury Silverwoods estate.
Police say the couple were the only people in the home at the time, there was no sign of forced entry and said the claim that Pistorius had thought his girlfriend was an intruder had not come from them.
In 2009 Pistorius spent a night in police cells after a woman complained to police that he had assaulted her during a party at his house.
The incident allegedly occurred at the same Silverlakes home as where Miss Steenkamp died.
Although Pistorius was charged with assault, he was eventually released with a warning.
At the time, police spokeswoman Sergeant Marinda Stoltz said the victim, whom Pistorius had told to leave, banged and kicked his front door.
'He (Pistorius) told the girl ‘this is my house and my friends and you have to leave’. He then started closing the door when a wooden beam weighing about 1,5kg fell on her leg and injured her.'
She said the girl reported the incident hours later. “The girl then also admitted that she had been drinking,' said Stoltz.
He was the first double amputee to run in the able-bodied Olympics and reached the 400 semi-finals in London 2012.
Pistorius's father Henke said his son was 'sad', adding: 'I don't know nothing. It will be extremely obnoxious and rude to speculate. I don't know the facts.
'If anyone makes a statement, it will have to be Oscar. He's sad at the moment.'
His agent Peet van Zyl is heading to Pretoria to speak to his client.
'I hope I can have access to him at the police station,' he said.
'Oscar is a humble person and a lovely guy – I’m sure what’s happened has been a terrible mistake but I really don’t have the details at the moment.'
Pretoria police would not confirm the man's identity until he appears in court, adding a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene and a case of murder is being investigated.
Officers are still busy with preliminary investigations at the scene, and statements are being taken from neighbours on the luxury Silverwoods estate.
Police say the couple were the only people in the home at the time, there was no sign of forced entry and said the claim that Pistorius had thought his girlfriend was an intruder had not come from them.
In 2009 Pistorius spent a night in police cells after a woman complained to police that he had assaulted her during a party at his house.
The incident allegedly occurred at the same Silverlakes home as where Miss Steenkamp died.
Although Pistorius was charged with assault, he was eventually released with a warning.
At the time, police spokeswoman Sergeant Marinda Stoltz said the victim, whom Pistorius had told to leave, banged and kicked his front door.
'He (Pistorius) told the girl ‘this is my house and my friends and you have to leave’. He then started closing the door when a wooden beam weighing about 1,5kg fell on her leg and injured her.'
She said the girl reported the incident hours later. “The girl then also admitted that she had been drinking,' said Stoltz.
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| Couple: Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp had been dating for a few months after meeting at a South African awards ceremony |
Homes there are surrounded by a giant wall, with electric fences and armed guards who stop every vehicle leaving or entering to keep it secure in a country with high rates of violent crime.
Around 50 people every day are murdered in South Africa and it is common for people to keep weapons in their home.
In an interview with the Mail before London 2012 it was revealed Pistorius slept with a pistol next to his bed, a machine gun by a window with a cricket bat and baseball bat behind the door.
'The problem is when the guards are in on the crime. It’s usually safe in guarded estates like this until that happens,’ he said.
Around 50 people every day are murdered in South Africa and it is common for people to keep weapons in their home.
In an interview with the Mail before London 2012 it was revealed Pistorius slept with a pistol next to his bed, a machine gun by a window with a cricket bat and baseball bat behind the door.
'The problem is when the guards are in on the crime. It’s usually safe in guarded estates like this until that happens,’ he said.
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| Death: Oscar Pistorius on his Pretoria at his house in Pretoria, where a woman believed to be his girlfriend was found shot dead today |
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| Grand: Mr Pistorius lives in a large farm in Pretoria, which is surrounded by high walls and armed guards |
In an interview with the New York Times he took a reporter to the local shooting range to fire his 9mm handgun and two boxes of ammunition.
When the journalist hit the bullseye he said: 'If you practiced, I think you could be pretty deadly,' adding he would go shooting 'sometimes when I can’t sleep'.
Arnu Fourie, Pistorius's roommate during London 2012 said today: 'My heart is broken for Oscar'.
'I feel for Oscar and the girl's family, I pray for him and her family, I can not imagine how they feel.
'Poor Oscar in his life had so many disappointments and tough times'.
When the journalist hit the bullseye he said: 'If you practiced, I think you could be pretty deadly,' adding he would go shooting 'sometimes when I can’t sleep'.
Arnu Fourie, Pistorius's roommate during London 2012 said today: 'My heart is broken for Oscar'.
'I feel for Oscar and the girl's family, I pray for him and her family, I can not imagine how they feel.
'Poor Oscar in his life had so many disappointments and tough times'.
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| Covered up: Pistorius (C) leaves the Boshkop police station today keen to hide his face from the gathered photographers |
Miss Steenkamp, a law graduate from Port Elizabeth, gave an interview to the Sunday Times in South Africa last week where she described her boyfriend as 'an impeccable man who always her best interests at heart'.
On February 1, Steenkamp tweeted about Pistorius, saying: 'He certainly doesn't need more followers but he's beautiful to look at & says some smart stuff too ;).'
On her Facebook and Twitter pages, she describes herself as an 'SA Model, FHM Cover Girl, Tropika Island of Treasure Celeb Contestant, Law Graduate, Ambassador'
This weekend, Steenkamp was set to star in South African reality television series Tropika Island Of Treasure, in which celebrities and ordinary people compete in remote, exotic locations in a variety of daily challenges.
On the show's website, a tribute to Steenkamp says: 'We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva's family and friends.'
On February 1, Steenkamp tweeted about Pistorius, saying: 'He certainly doesn't need more followers but he's beautiful to look at & says some smart stuff too ;).'
On her Facebook and Twitter pages, she describes herself as an 'SA Model, FHM Cover Girl, Tropika Island of Treasure Celeb Contestant, Law Graduate, Ambassador'
This weekend, Steenkamp was set to star in South African reality television series Tropika Island Of Treasure, in which celebrities and ordinary people compete in remote, exotic locations in a variety of daily challenges.
On the show's website, a tribute to Steenkamp says: 'We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva's family and friends.'
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| Model: Reeva Steenkamp had been seeing Oscar since November but had forged her own successful career in South Africa |
Sarit Tomlinson, Steenkamp’s publicist, told Sky News: ‘She was the sweetest human being and an absolute angel on earth. She was the kindest, most unbelievable girl.
‘They had been together for a couple of months and it had been a healthy, fabulous relationship. At the moment it’s shocking. No-one knows what’s happened.
‘She was a rising star. There was so much in the pipeline for her: she was just about to explode into the media.
‘She was a very talented, very bright young girl. It’s too shocking for words. We’ll miss her so much, too much. Our condolences go to her family.
‘They had been together for a couple of months and it had been a healthy, fabulous relationship. At the moment it’s shocking. No-one knows what’s happened.
‘She was a rising star. There was so much in the pipeline for her: she was just about to explode into the media.
‘She was a very talented, very bright young girl. It’s too shocking for words. We’ll miss her so much, too much. Our condolences go to her family.
The blade-runner has done more than any other athlete to put the Paralympics on the global map since he first won medals aged 17 in the Athens Games of 2004.
He was expected to take home a haul of paralympic golds at London 2012 but failed to deliver.
His first final was in the 200m, where he finished a shock second to Brazilian Alan Oliveira, and then accused rivals, including his young conqueror, of running on blades that were too long.
Then Pistorius had to settle for fourth place in the 100m individual event when the glory went to Britain’s new track icon, Jonnie Peacock.
But this defeat and the outburst were followed by a measure of redemption when Pistorius anchored his country’s 4 x 100m relay gold in a world record time.
Just three days ago, Pistorius tweeted about his excitement regarding his first race of 2013, accompanied by a photograph of him in action.
He said: '1 month till my first race of 2013.. Can't wait to burn it up!'
He was expected to take home a haul of paralympic golds at London 2012 but failed to deliver.
His first final was in the 200m, where he finished a shock second to Brazilian Alan Oliveira, and then accused rivals, including his young conqueror, of running on blades that were too long.
Then Pistorius had to settle for fourth place in the 100m individual event when the glory went to Britain’s new track icon, Jonnie Peacock.
But this defeat and the outburst were followed by a measure of redemption when Pistorius anchored his country’s 4 x 100m relay gold in a world record time.
Just three days ago, Pistorius tweeted about his excitement regarding his first race of 2013, accompanied by a photograph of him in action.
He said: '1 month till my first race of 2013.. Can't wait to burn it up!'
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| Image: This picture from inside the home shows Oscar and one of his dogs with Reeva Steenkamp at a party with friends |
Perhaps due in part to his sudden financial and sporting success, Pistorius has a notoriously complex love life.
Prior to their split late last year, he spent a year and a half dating Cape Town marketing student Samantha Taylor.
But even while he was with Miss Taylor, he was linked with numerous other women, including Russian model Anastassia Khozissova.
Pistorius was first seen with Miss Steenkamp at an awards ceremony in South Africa last November. At the time, the FHM model said the pair were 'just friends'.
But when it became clear that Pistorius and Steenkamp were in fact dating, the sportsman's then ex Samantha Taylor said: 'Oscar has such a way with women. She’s probably not the only one he’s got.”
Prior to their split late last year, he spent a year and a half dating Cape Town marketing student Samantha Taylor.
But even while he was with Miss Taylor, he was linked with numerous other women, including Russian model Anastassia Khozissova.
Pistorius was first seen with Miss Steenkamp at an awards ceremony in South Africa last November. At the time, the FHM model said the pair were 'just friends'.
But when it became clear that Pistorius and Steenkamp were in fact dating, the sportsman's then ex Samantha Taylor said: 'Oscar has such a way with women. She’s probably not the only one he’s got.”
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| Icon: The athlete has done more than anyone to promote disabled sport and is one of the world's most famous athletes |
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| Winner: Oscar Pistorius celebrates with his gold medal following the men's 400m win at London 2012 |
Miss Taylor went on to tell South Africa's City Press newspaper that 'Oscar is certainly not what people think he is.'
The 26-year-old sportsman has a history of risk taking and also, reportedly, of violence.
In November last year, he reportedly 'threatened to break the legs' of the friend of a man whom he believed had slept with his then girlfriend, who is not Miss Steenkamp.
According to newspaper reports, the sportsman approached South African football player Marc Batchelor in the VIP room of a horse racing track and verbally threatened him.
The 26-year-old sportsman has a history of risk taking and also, reportedly, of violence.
In November last year, he reportedly 'threatened to break the legs' of the friend of a man whom he believed had slept with his then girlfriend, who is not Miss Steenkamp.
According to newspaper reports, the sportsman approached South African football player Marc Batchelor in the VIP room of a horse racing track and verbally threatened him.
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