Oscar Pistorius broke down in tears in a South African courtroom on Friday, Feb. 15, after being charged with the premeditated murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. The 26-year-old track runner's defense team requested to postpone the bail hearing, as did the prosecution. Pistorius will remain in custody until then.
The athlete, a double amputee who was born without fibula bones and had amputations below the knees as an infant, is the first Paralymic athlete to run with able-bodied athletes in an Olympic games. He made his debut during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Steenkamp appeared to be in good spirits before her tragic passing, tweeting about Valentine's Day just hours before her death. "It should be a day of love for everyone," the model wrote. Police found Steenkamp's body in a pool of blood in Pistorius' home in Pretoria on Thursday, Feb. 14. Steenkamp, 30, was reportedly shot four times.
In addition to modeling, Steenkamp was a vocal advocate against rape and abuse of women. The 5-foot-7 beauty was also set to appear on the upcoming South African reality show, Tropika Island of Treasure 5.
Though authorities initially believed Pistorius may have mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder, they later ruled out that possibility. "There is no other suspect involved," police spokeswoman Brigadier Denise Beukes told the Associated Press. Police added that they are interviewing several potential witnesses, including Pistorius' neighbors.
Pistorius' court case will resume Tuesday, Feb. 19.
