'No hatred,' says Reeva's father

The father of Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead at the home of Oscar Pistorius, said "there is no hatred in our hearts" over her death - as the model's father revealed the athlete may have "acted on instinct".

Barry Steenkamp sympathised that the sporting hero must be going through a difficult time after his daughter Reeva was shot dead at the Blade Runner's exclusive Pretoria home last week.

He told the Mail on Sunday the family was struggling to come to terms with the death, but revealed: "There is no hatred in our hearts."

Steenkamp added: "He must be going through things that we don't know about.

"We ask the Lord every day to help us find a reason why this should happen to Reeva. She was the most beautiful, kind girl in the world."

Meanwhile, the athlete's best friend claimed the Olympic and Paralympic hero called him minutes after the shooting telling him "there has been a terrible accident", according to the Sunday People.

Justin Divaris said: "It's all very sad. Oscar called me at 3.55am saying that Reeva had been shot."

He added: "It was very traumatic. By the time we got there it was already a crime scene and we weren't allowed in the house."

Pistorius's father said he has "zero doubt" Miss Steenkamp's death was a tragic accident and that his son may have acted "on instinct".

Henke Pistorius said he believes the model was killed after being mistaken for an intruder at his son's house.