Oscar Pistorius - Premeditated Murder or Accident

Model may have had skull crushed on night she was shot dead by Oscar Pistorius

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Reeva Steenkamp may have had her skull crushed on the night she was shot dead by Oscar Pistorius, it was claimed yesterday.

A bloodied cricket bat found by police at the South African Blade Runner’s home was last night at the centre of the case.

Detectives will run forensic tests to see who the blood belonged to, amid reports it could also have been used by 30-year-old Reeva to protect herself as she was gunned down.

A source close to the investigation said: “There was lots of blood on the bat. Forensic tests will show whose it was.”

Officers have specifically asked analysts to test for traces of ­steroids and other drugs.

As well as bullet wounds to the head, arm, hand and hip, Reeva suffered a fractured skull, a postmortem revealed.

It was also claimed a cartridge was discovered in the bedroom of 26-year-old Pistorius after the ­Valentine’s Day slaughter at his Pretoria home.

The source said: “The suspicion is that the first shot, in the bedroom, hit her in the hip.

“She then ran and locked herself in the toilet. She was doubled over because of the pain. He fired three more shots. She probably covered her head which is why the bullet went through her hand.”

Was Reeva Steenkamp murdered?