Reeva Steenkamp funeral planned as Pistorius remains in custody

Published on 18/02/2013 00:00

THE family of Oscar Pistorius’s girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp said yesterday her body was back in her home town of Port Elizabeth and a private funeral had been planned for tomorrow.

The double-amputee Olympian remains in custody in South Africa after being charged with her murder.

Yesterday, Adam Steenkamp, brother of the late model and law graduate, said: “Reeva is back home.”

The family said Ms Steen-kamp would be cremated after a ceremony closed to the public and the media in the city on South Africa’s southern coast.

Pistorius was charged with her murder and is expected to make a court appearance tomorrow for his bail hearing.

Yesterday, his agent said the Olympian had received “overwhelming support” from fans.

Speaking from outside the police station where the sprinter is being held, Peet van Zyl said “international fans from literally all over the world” had sent their good wishes.

Mr Van Zyl said he visited Pistorius at the station to discuss his running career “and the plans that we have made for this year”.

He would not comment on how the 26-year-old athlete was and what his mental and emotional state was.

Mr Van Zyl called Ms Steen-kamp’s killing at Pistorius’s house “a tragic circumstance” and said he also visited Pistorius as a friend “to give him my moral support”.

Ms Steenkamp, 29, was seen laughing and smiling on South African TV on Saturday night after national broadcaster SABC chose to air the first episode of a reality TV show she featured in.