Graphic pictures of Steenkamp's body, as well as blood splatters on the floors, walls, stairs and chairs of Pistorius' home were displayed on monitors in the courtroom as the athlete was sick.

The 27-year-old six-time Paralympic champion, who also competed in the Olympics, denies murdering his girlfriend and claims he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder, however, the prosecution claimed he intentionally killed her following an argument.

Schoombie Van Rensburg, a former police colonel who testified at the trial in Pretoria as one of the two officers first on the scene after the shooting, described how he had seen Steenkamp's body covered in towels and plastic bags that had been used to try to stop the bleeding.

He said he had found Pistorius, who was "very emotional", pacing up and down in the kitchen and when he asked him what had happened he got no response.

"I asked him what happened but he didn't answer me," Van Rensburg added.

"He was in tears."

Schoombie Van Rensburg was one of the two officers first on the scene following the fatal shooting of Reeva Steenkamp ©AFP/Getty Images


Police investigator Hilton Botha was then said to have arrived on the scene before the pair "followed the trail of blood up the stairs" to the bathroom, according to Van Rensburg.

They said they found the toilet door, through which Steenkamp had been shot, locked, with the key in the outside.

Pistorius said he found the key on the inside after breaking down the door.

They also found the athlete's blood stained 9mm pistol - which was "ready to fire" - lying on a grey towel inside the bathroom with an iPhone.

Other photos showed empty bullet cartridges on the floor.

Pistorius had fired four shots and Steenkamp was hit three times - in the head, arm and hip.

He faces a possible life sentence in prison if found guilty of murder.

The trial continues.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2014: Pistorius broke down toilet door when not wearing prosthetic legs, court told
March 2014: Pistorius "had love for guns" friend tells court as trial continues
March 2014: Pistorius vomits in court as graphic evidence given as trial enters second week
March 2014: Pistorius carries his gun "all the time" ex-girlfriend tells court