Bloodied cricket bat found at Pistorius’ home

18^th February 2013

Sarah Aston

Sarah Aston

18 February 2013

A bloodied cricket bat has been found at Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius’ home according to the most recent reports on the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp.

Following the news that Oscar Pistorius’ girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, had been shot at the athlete’s home in the early hours of Valentine’s Day, the discovery of the cricket bat marks the latest discovery in the ongoing investigation into what happened that night.

Although initially it was believed that Pistorius had mistaken Steenkamp for a burglar and had fired shots in self-defence, it is now widely assumed that this was not the case and the athlete faces murder charges as South African police rule out Pistorius’ claims.

According to the South African publication City Press, the police are building up a strong case against the athlete. Although there is yet to be an official statement from the police in regards to the significance of the cricket bat, The Telegraph reported earlier today that the police are working on two different theories.

Following reports that Miss Steenkamp had fled to the bathroom where she was then shot, one theory is that Pistorius used the baseball bat to breakdown the bathroom door before subsequently shooting her three times.

An alternative theory is that Miss Steenkamp used the bat in self-defense although it is yet to be announced if this was indeed the case.

While the released post-mortem report found bullet wounds in the head, arm, hand and hip and a fractured skull, Pistorius’ family still maintain the athlete’s innocence.

In a statement that was released shortly following Pistorius’ arrest, the family declared: “We have no doubt there is no substance to the allegation and that the state’s case, including it’s own forensic evidence, strongly refutes any possibility of premeditated murder or indeed any murder”.

Sarah Aston