New details of tragedy emerge in Pistorius case, per South African newspaper
Oscar Pistorius leaves the Boschkop Police Station in Pretoria, South Africa on Thursday. (Getty Images)
A new report out of South Africa indicates that Oscar Pistorius carried Reeva Steenkamp downstairsfrom the bathroom where he had allegedly shot her, and attempted to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while attempting to save her life. The report comes via Beeld, an Afrikaaans-language newspaper in South Africa.
The newspaper reported that Steenkamp was still breathing when local security guards and neighbors arrived at Pistorius' house, but died shortly afterward. She had been shot four times through the bathroom door. While the first reports indicated that Pistorius had believed he was firing at an intruder, more recent police reports have backed off that allegation.
According to the Beeld report, there were blood spatters in Pistorius' house tracing the route Pistorius carried Steenkamp, and bloody towels near where she passed. Forensic teams continue to work in the Pistorius home in the exclusive Silver Woods Country Estate community, and have removed the bullet-riddled bathroom door as possible evidence. The paper cites a source near the police which indicates that Steenkamp was sitting on the sink when shot.
Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder in Pretoria magistrates' court, and faces a potential life sentence of at least 25 years if convicted. Pistorius' family continues to stress that they believe this was a tragic accident, and that they want the judicial process to play out properly.
"The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms," Pistorius' family said in a statement. "Oscar Pistorius has made history as an Olympic and Paralympic sportsman and has been an inspiration to others the world over. 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."
Pistorius remains in a cell in Pretoria. A court will determine on Tuesday whether to grant him bail until the trial. Also on that day, a memorial service will be held for Steenkamp in her hometown.
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