Bloodied Cricket Bat Found in Pistorious's Home

A Bloodied cricket bat was found at the Paralympian's home by police, probing the death of  his girlfriend. The suspected weapon, which the athlete kept behind his bedroom door for fear of intruders, was found as reports in South Africa suggested Reeva Steenkamp's skull was "crushed"

Blade Runner Pistorius, 26, was charged with murder after his model girlfriend was shot dead at his luxury home in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day. The discovery of the bloodied cricket bat emerged as police sources reportedly told South Africa's independent City Press newspaper that Steenkamp's skull had been "crushed". "There was lots of blood on the bat," one source told the newspaper.

Police are investigating whether the bat was used to attack the 29-year-old cover girl, or if she used it to defend herself.

 

 

 

 

 

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Steenkamp, who had only been dating Pistorius since November, was shot four times in the head, chest and hand through the bathroom door.  City Press quoted a police source as saying: “The suspicion is that the first shot, in the bedroom, hit her in the hip. “She then ran and hid herself in the toilet... He fire three more shots.”

The newspaper also reported that police are testing the gold medallist’s blood for steroids, amid speculation he may have experienced "roid rage", aggressive behaviour linked to taking large doses of performance enhancing drugs.  Other reports in South Africa suggest that there may have been a fight between the two lovers that had spilled over from Wednesday night. Neighbours are believed to have called security guards complaining about a "commotion" inside the sprinter’s home.

 

The claims contradict the initial theory that Pistorius may have shot Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder. Police in South Africa said they were "very surprised" by the burglar speculation and confirmed that there had been previous incidents of a "domestic nature" at the address. City Press also reported that Steenkamp was wearing a nightie at the time of the killing and that the bed was rumpled. Pistorius is being held without bail following his first court appearance, which he sobbed uncontrollably throughout.

The Olympic and Paralympic hero faces life imprisonment if convicted of premeditated murder.

But his father, Henke Pistorius, said he has "zero doubt" Miss Steenkamp's death was a tragic accident and that his son may have acted "on instinct". Henke Pistorius said he believes the model was killed after being mistaken for an intruder at his son's house. His family is behind him "heart and soul" and will do "whatever needs to be done" to help him clear his name, Mr Pistorius told The Sunday Telegraph.

He said: "When you are a sportsman, you act even more on instinct. It's instinct - things happen and that's what you do."