NewsSouth AfricaOscar Pistorius Reeva SteenkampVideo

Oscar Pistorius' Brother Carl 'Praying For Reeva's Family'

Carl Pistorius: 'We Are Praying For Reeva's Family Like My Brother Asked'
Felicity Morse
|

Oscar Pistorius' older brother Carl said he is "praying unceasingly for Reeva's family like my brother asked", as the Paralympic athlete sobbed in court during his second court appearance in Pretoria.

On Tuesday the court heard how Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp four times through the bathroom door of his house.

The 26-year-old has applied for bail and has been formally charged with the premeditated murder of his girlfriend.

Open Image Modal

Carl and Henke, Oscar's father, arrive at the courthouse

Pistorius has two siblings, Carl and a younger sister Aimee. Both are on Twitter and have been using their accounts to express support for their brother and Reeva's family.

Open Image Modal

Aimee Pistorius' Twitter account

Oscar's father, Henke Pistorius, has sat in the front row of the court, in the full glare of the cameras, along with Carl and Aimee, every day the 26-year-old has appeared in court.

Open Image Modal

Carl Pistorius in court

The close-knit nature of the Pistorius family has been well documented in interviews with the Paralympic athlete, who credits his late mother, who died when Pistorius was 15-years-old, as a major influence in his sprinting success.

On February 15, only a day after Oscar was arrested in connection with the shooting of his girlfriend at his Pretoria home on Valentines Day, Carl tweeted: "Thank-you to everyone who has expressed their love and support to both families. This tragedy has changed the landscape of our lives."

It was Carl's birthday on Monday, but there were rather muted celebrations for the Pistorius family, as Oscar's fate remains unclear and a memorial ceremony for Reeva is to be held on Tuesday.

Footage of the media scrum outside the court in Pretoria as the Pistorius family arrive

On Tuesday, Reeva Steenkamp is to be cremated in her home city of Port Elizabeth.

Friends and relatives of the 29-year-old will pay tribute to the former model at a private ceremony.

Steenkamp's mother has described her "horrendous" torment at the death of the "most beautiful person who ever lived".

Reeva Steenkamp
Reeva Steenkamp(01 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii) (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(02 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii-HO) (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(03 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii-HO) (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(04 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii) (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(05 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii) (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(06 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva was a model with Ice Model Management in Johannesburg. This is one of her portfolio pictures. (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(07 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page
Reeva Steenkamp(08 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeve Steenkamp, during a photo shoot. She was the face of Avon in South Africa. (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(09 of34)
Open Image Modal
One of Reeva's portfolio pictures from Ice Model Management. (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(10 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva and Pistorius had been dating for two months (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(11 of34)
Open Image Modal
As well as being the face of Avon in South Africa, Reeva also presented a number of TV shows (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(12 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva used her Twitter account regularly, often retweeting and posting links that highlighted violence against women (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(13 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page
Tashas All White Party - Melrose Arch(14 of34)
Open Image Modal
Oscar Pistorius (left) and Reeva Steenkamp at Tashas All White Party at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa (credit:PA)
Reeva Steenkamp(15 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva pictured at the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2013 on 7 February 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Reeva Steenkamp(16 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page
Reeva Steenkamp(17 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her twitter page
Reeva Steenkamp(18 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp out and about in an image posted to her twitter page
Reeva Steenkamp(19 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp (LEFT)(20 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp poses for a photograph on her twitter page
Reeva Steenkamp(21 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her twitter page
Reeva Steenkamp(22 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page
Reeva Steenkamp(23 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp(24 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp was a cover star for FHM magazine
Reeva Steenkamp(25 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva demonstrating the joys of MINIs
Reeva Steenkamp (RIGHT)(26 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva poses with a friend
Reeva Steenkamp(27 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva receives some canine attention
Reeva Steenkamp(28 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva's modelling career led to some high profile magazine covers
2012 South African Sports Awards - Sandton Convention Centre(29 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva with Oscar Pistorius at the SA Sports Awards (credit:PA)
2012 South African Sports Awards - Sandton Convention Centre(30 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva and Oscar Pistorius arrive at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg for the SA Sports Awards (credit:PA)
PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA: Reeva Steenkamp in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Mike Holmes/The Herald/Gallo Images/Getty Images)(31 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva Steenkamp phorographed recently in Johannesburg
PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA: Reeva Steenkamp in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Mike Holmes/The Herald/Gallo Images/Getty Images)(32 of34)
Open Image Modal
Reeva had worked for Toyota, FHM, Clover & Italian brand Zui as well as doing some TV presenting
Reeva Steenkamp(33 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this frame-grab from state television channel SABC 1 a tribute is devoted to slain model Reeva Steenkamp, girlfriend of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius. South Africas national broadcaster went ahead with the screening of the reality TV show "Tropica Island of Treasure" Saturday, Feb 16, 2013, featuring the dead model. Steenkamp encouraged her family to watch in one of her last conversations with them before her shooting death at the home of Pistorius. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (credit:AP)
Reeva Steenkamp(34 of34)
Open Image Modal
In this frame-grab from state television channel SABC 1 a tribute is devoted to slain model Reeva Steenkamp, girlfriend of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius. South Africas national broadcaster went ahead with the screening of the reality TV show "Tropica Island of Treasure" Saturday, Feb 16, 2013, featuring the dead model. Steenkamp encouraged her family to watch in one of her last conversations with them before her shooting death at the home of Pistorius. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (credit:AP)

  • Suggest a correction
    |
    Submit a tip