Reeva Steenkamp, girlfriend to "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, had her promising young life cut short after allegedly being shot dead by Pistorius at his mansion.
Steenkamp, 30, had a law degree and was receiving immense success as a top model. She was set to embark on the next stage of her career, this time as a TV star, when she was killed in what early reports suggested was a Valentine's Day surprise that went horribly wrong.
She was shot in the head, the chest and the arm at around 4am this morning, South African police have said.
Pistorius, who reportedly may have mistaken her for a burglar, has been charged with her murder.
In her last public interview with Zalebs, she seemed happy and in love with Pistorius.
Here's an excerpt of her interview with ZAlebs, just hours before her death:
Do you remember your first crush? Did you ever have the courage to let the person know how you feel?
At varsity I had the biggest crush on a guy in my class. He turned out to be gay (another classmate broke the news to me) and is now one of my best friends.
Have you ever had a really bad dating experience?
I once had to get a restraining order against a guy. I went on one date with him and on the way home to drop me off, we had to "pop by his place to let the dogs out" as he'd forgotten. He didn't own any pets and after I told him there wouldn't be a second date, he moved back home with his parents because 'his house smelled of my perfume'. psycho.
Your most romantic songs?
Dirty Dancing is one of my all-time favourite movies so several songs off the soundtrack come to mind:
Steenkamp also planned to spend Valentine's Day spreading love to all.
"I've realised that although Valentine's Day can be a cheesy money making stint to most people, it's a day of expressing love across the world. It doesn't have to only be between lovers, but by telling a friend that you care, or even an old person that they are still appreciated."