South
African Olympian Oscar Pistorius was in court today, charged with
murder after his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was found dead at his home
in Pretoria. While sponsors rushed to tear down billboards bearing his
image and broadcasters dropped him from their schedules, there was a
broader feeling that the media had ignored a darker side to the first
Paralympic icon.
Pistorius has denied murdering his girlfriend in the “strongest terms” and offered his “deepest sympathies” to her family.
The
South African athlete appeared in court on Friday to face a murder
charge, his family and management company issued a statement that said:
“Firstly, and most importantly, all our thoughts today must be with the
family and friends of Reeva Steenkamp.
“Oscar
Pistorius has appeared in court here in Pretoria this morning formally
charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. The alleged murder is
disputed in the strongest terms.”
“Oscar
Pistorius has made history as an Olympic and Paralympic sportsman and
has been an inspiration to others the world over,” the statement added.
“He has made it very clear that he would like to send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva.
“He
would also like to express his thanks through us today for all the
messages of support he has received – but as stated our thoughts and
prayers today should be for Reeva and her family, regardless of the
circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy.”
The
26-year-old broke down and wept uncontrollably in court as prosecutors
said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against him.
It
has been claimed that Pistorius will plead he mistook her for a
burglar, and a South Africa media report on Friday reported he shot four
times through a bathroom door. Police have not disclosed details and
there has been no verification of the claim.
Stuart
Higgins, a former editor of the Sun and now a PR consultant, has flown
out to South Africa to help co-ordinate the Pistorius family’s media
strategy.
Reeva
Steenkamp’s final comments on Twitter on the eve of her death revealed a
young woman excited about Valentine’s Day, as she bantered with her
friends.
“What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay”.
The
30-year-old model had been planning a birthday surprise for her new
boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius, a man she had described to local newspapers
as “impeccable” and “thoughtful” in the gifts he bought her.
A
close friend who visited the Silverwoods estate where she was found
dead yesterday morning said that the former law student had been
excitedly talking with girlfriends about a special surprise that she was
planning.
Her
relationship with the Olympics hero had further raised her profile in
South Africa where she was already known for featuring on a men’s
magazine list of the 100 sexiest women.
At
the time of her death the blonde model had been promoting a celebrity
reality television show she had appeared in alongside the rapper AKA,
filmed late last year in Jamaica.
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