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Mission Moldova
Family Denies Charges; Steenkamp's Show Sirs; Agent Cancelling Races 2/17/13
Associated Press
February 17, 2013
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - The family of Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius is denying charges that he murdered his girlfriend.
Arnold Pistorius says his nephew is "numb with shock, as well as grief" over Reeva Steenkamp's death.
The model was fatally shot on Valentine's Day at Oscar Pistorius' home in the suburbs of South Africa's capital. Police are holding Pistorius on murder charges pending a bail hearing next week in Pretoria.
His uncle says his nephew and Steenkamp had become very close since they started dating in November and "had plans together." He says "Oscar was happier in his private life than he had been for a long time."
Pistorius' arrest in the killing of 29-year-old Steenkamp shocked South Africa. The double amputee was a national hero dubbed the Blade Runner for his high-tech prosthetics and revered for overcoming his disability to compete in the London Games
Meanwhile, South African Broadcasting has aired a reality TV show starring Reeva Steenkamp. Her family says it was the model's last wish for them to watch "Tropika Island of Treasure" filmed last year in Jamaica. SABC dedicated the show to Steenkamp.
Members of Steenkamp's family are planning a memorial service Tuesday in Port Elizabeth, her hometown on South Africa's southern coast.