A woman is dead and her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter and double-amputee known as ``Blade Runner,'' Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder.

Police in South Africa say they were called to a report of a shooting at the runner's home early today in a gated community in Pretoria.

29-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp died at the scene.

Steenkamp  became the face of Avon after graduating from University with a law degree.

Police recovered a nine-millimetre pistol at the scene and immediately took Pistorius into custody.