people.com - Oscar Pistorius – the "Blade Runner" who made history last year as the first Paralympian to compete in the able-bodied Olympics – was charged with murder Thursday after his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, was found shot dead inside his home in South Africa.



Police said Steenkamp was shot four times in the predawn hours in the home, located in a gated community in Pretoria, reports SI.com, which described Steenkamp as a model who spoke out on Twitter against rape and abuse of women.

Steenkamp's publicist Sarit Tomlinson said, "Our thoughts and prayers go to the Steenkamp family, who have asked to have their privacy respected during this difficult time, everyone is simply devastated. She was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on earth and will be sorely missed."

CNN reports that a pistol was recovered at the scene, according to police. Early news reports, unconfirmed by police, said Steenkamp was planning a Valentine's surprise for Pistorius, 26, but that it went horribly wrong. Read more here