South African Paralympic Champ Charged in Murder of Girlfriend

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Photo/Biography.com

South African police are investigating the shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp, the girlfriend of paralympic champion, Oscar Pistorius. By late Thursday, the athlete had been charged with murder.



Initially, media outlets reported that investigators believed the shooting may have been an accident after Pistorius, whose full name is Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius, mistakenly took his girlfriend to be an intruder.

But by late this afternoon, media outlets began painting a more grim picture after learning the couple's relationship had been marred by domestic violence incidents.

According to a report in the New York Times, law enforcement officials received "complaints about domestic incidents" at the Pistorius home in the past.

The athlete's father, Henke Pistorius, told a NY Times reporter that he'd never met his son's girlfriend and that out of respect for his son, would not speculate on the nature of Oscar Pistorius and the victim's relationship.

During a telephone interview, the elder Pistorius told the NYTIMES, "I wasn’t there... I have no clue what happened. The only person who can make any statement will be Oscar himself."


Police reports indicate that Steenkamp, who worked as a model, died of gunshot wounds to her head and arm. She was found dead in Pistorius' upscale home in a gated community in Pretoria. Police discovered a 9mm pistol in the home where the Olympic star was taken into custody.

Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius was charged with murder Thursday after his girlfriend was shot dead at his South African home.

South African Police spokeswoman Denise Beukes said that earlier reports indicating the shooting was accidental did not come from police and left her, "very surprised."

Sarit Tomlinson, publicist for the 30-year-old beauty issued a statement confirming the model's death.

"We can confirm that Reeva Steenkamp has passed away," said Tomlinson. "Our thoughts and prayers go to the Steenkamp family, who have asked to have their privacy respected during this difficult time, everyone is simply devastated. She was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on earth and will be sorely missed."

Officials with the South African prosecutor’s office confirmed that Pistorius will make his first court appearance Friday morning.

Pistorius, earned the moniker "Blade Runner" due to the carbon fiber prosthetic blades he wears when running. The 26-year-old University of Pretoria alumnus received double below-knee amputations, and competes in T44 events though he is actually classified in T43.