South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, known to fans as the “Blade Runner,” was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Thursday, after the 30-year-old model was found shot dead in his home in Pretoria, South Africa.

According to the Guardian, Pistorius and Steenkamp were one of the country’s most attractive and high-profile couples, “South Africa 's equivalent of Posh and Becks.” Pistorius, who made history for competing in the Olympics as the first double amputee sprinter, is revered as a sports icon in his native country, while Steenkamp was a former FHM cover model, and reality TV star.

Steenkamp served as the face of Avon cosmetics and was due to appear as a celebrity contestant on the SABC1 television show Tropika Island of Treasure 5, which is scheduled to air on Saturday. The blonde beauty also described herself on Twitter as a “Law Graduate,” and “Child of God.”

An early report by Johannesburg’s Talk Radio 702 alleged that authorities believed Pistorius had shot Steenkamp in the head and arm, although the motive for the attack was not yet clear. The radio report also claimed that Steenkamp might have taken Pistorius by surprise in his home, and that it was possible that he had mistaken her for a burglar. However, South African police spokeswoman Denise Beukes said that she was unaware of those claims and that they had not come from law enforcement officials.

"The South Africa police service were just as surprised this morning to hear on the radio that allegations had been made that the deceased had been perceived to be a burglar. We were very surprised and those allegations did not come from us,” Beukes said

Steenkamp’s publicst Sarit Tomlinson told Reuters that everyone who knew Steenkamp was in shock over her tragic death, describing her client as, "the sweetest human being and an absolute angel on earth".

"She was the kindest, most unbelievable girl," Tomlinson said. "We are all devastated. Her family is in shock," Tomlinson said.

"They did have a good relationship," Tomlinson added, referring to Steenkamp’s nearly year-long relationship with Pistorius. "Nobody actually knows what happened."