Pistorius holds private memorial service for slain girlfriend

Johannesburg: Oscar Pistorius along with his siblings held a private memorial service in Pretoria on Tuesday for his late girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, whom he has been accused of shooting to death.

Carl Pistorius got into his car at the Waterkloof home of Pistorius` uncle Arnold and drove off, and he was followed by their sister Aimee, as by that time most of the journalists camped outside had also left. Security guards posted on the pavement in front of the house kept journalists away, and according to the company managing Pistorius` reputation, the athlete held a private memorial service for Steenkamp. The company said in a statement that Pistorius specifically requested the memorial service as he continues to grieve and remains in deep mourning for the loss of his partner, Steenkamp. The management company also asked the media to respect Pistorius` privacy, adding in the statement that since it is such a sensitive issue, the Bladerunner had asked for a private service with people who share his loss, including his family members who knew and loved Steenkamp as one of their own. The statement added that the Pistorius family would like to make a personal request to the media, to please respect their privacy at their home in Pretoria on Tuesday night. ANI