By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 06:10 EST, 21 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:32 EST, 21 May 2013 . Snuggling tenderly on the sofa, Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp could not seem more in love as they share a laugh over their pet monkey - in their final photograph together before he shot her dead. The photo provides a moving insight into the life of the lovers, who friends claim appeared every inch South Africa's golden couple. But four days after it was taken, Reeva would be dead and Pistorius in court accused of murder. Golden couple: The photo provides a moving insight into the life of the lovers, who friends claim appeared every inch South Africa's perfect couple . 'He was tickling her,' Pistorius' best friend Christo Menelaou, who took the picture, told South Africa's You magazine. 'They were lovers and also real friends.' Christo, 34, who said Pistorius had grown a thick beard since his girlfriend's death, added: 'He cries a lot and says over and over, "I’m sorry".' Pistorius denies murder, claiming he shot his model girlfriend by accident because he believed a burglar had entered their home while they slept. It comes as it was today reported detectives investigating Reeva's death have questioned a blonde socialite over her relationship with the Blade Runner amid claims the two shared flirty text messages and canoodled at a party. Junior PR executive Erin Stear, 25, gave a statement to police under oath in which she denied having an affair with Pistorius, according to The Sun. A source told the paper: 'Erin met Oscar when Reeva was his girlfriend. They hit it off and met up again after messaging each other. She was really excited about getting to know him.' Also today, Pistorius' brother Carl appeared in court . charged with killing a woman with his 4x4 in a road . accident in 2008. The brother: The picture was revealed by You magazine today - the same day Pistorius' brother Carl appeared in court charged with killing a woman on a motorbike with his 4x4 in a road accident 2008 . Prosecutors say Carl Pistorius was . driving an SUV in March 2008 when he collided with a female . motorcyclist. The woman, Marietjie Barnard, died in a hospital. Although . the culpable homicide charge against Carl was initially dropped, it was . reinstated this year after forensic evidence and reports from the . accident scene became available, according to prosecutors. The Pistorius family said last month that Carl deeply regretted the incident, but insisted it was a 'tragic accident.' He was not under the influence of alcohol, the family said. In the dock: Pistorius denies murder, claiming he shot his model girlfriend, believing a burglar had entered their home while they slept . Tragedy: Reeva Steenkamp died after being shot in the bathroom at Pistorius' home . Blade Runner: Pistorius' coach claims the South African is not ready to head back into action . It comes days after Oscar Pistorius revealed he will not return to the track for the rest of the year so he can focus on his looming court case. Pistorius . stands accused of premeditated murder after the death of his girlfriend . Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead on Valentine's Day at his Pretoria . home. The 'Blade Runner', . who was released on bail in February, will be back in court on June 4 . and is likely to stand trial before the end of 2013. But the Paralympian’s coach Ampie Louw . revealed Pistorius has turned down invitations to take part in major . international athletic events and will stay away from the track. Louw said: 'We have decided as a team we are not talking [about] any training or athletics. 'We have postponed [races] for the whole year.'
Four days later, Reeva would be dead and Pistorius accused of her murder .
Friend Christo Menelaou said: 'He was tickling her. They were best friends'
Says the Paralympian has grown thick beard and cries a lot saying 'I'm sorry'
Comes as Pistorius' brother Carl appears in court charged with homicide .
By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 06:10 EST, 21 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:32 EST, 21 May 2013 . Snuggling tenderly on the sofa, Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp could not seem more in love as they share a laugh over their pet monkey - in their final photograph together before he shot her dead. The photo provides a moving insight into the life of the lovers, who friends claim appeared every inch South Africa's golden couple. But four days after it was taken, Reeva would be dead and Pistorius in court accused of murder. Golden couple: The photo provides a moving insight into the life of the lovers, who friends claim appeared every inch South Africa's perfect couple . 'He was tickling her,' Pistorius' best friend Christo Menelaou, who took the picture, told South Africa's You magazine. 'They were lovers and also real friends.' Christo, 34, who said Pistorius had grown a thick beard since his girlfriend's death, added: 'He cries a lot and says over and over, "I’m sorry".' Pistorius denies murder, claiming he shot his model girlfriend by accident because he believed a burglar had entered their home while they slept. It comes as it was today reported detectives investigating Reeva's death have questioned a blonde socialite over her relationship with the Blade Runner amid claims the two shared flirty text messages and canoodled at a party. Junior PR executive Erin Stear, 25, gave a statement to police under oath in which she denied having an affair with Pistorius, according to The Sun. A source told the paper: 'Erin met Oscar when Reeva was his girlfriend. They hit it off and met up again after messaging each other. She was really excited about getting to know him.' Also today, Pistorius' brother Carl appeared in court . charged with killing a woman with his 4x4 in a road . accident in 2008. The brother: The picture was revealed by You magazine today - the same day Pistorius' brother Carl appeared in court charged with killing a woman on a motorbike with his 4x4 in a road accident 2008 . Prosecutors say Carl Pistorius was . driving an SUV in March 2008 when he collided with a female . motorcyclist. The woman, Marietjie Barnard, died in a hospital. Although . the culpable homicide charge against Carl was initially dropped, it was . reinstated this year after forensic evidence and reports from the . accident scene became available, according to prosecutors. The Pistorius family said last month that Carl deeply regretted the incident, but insisted it was a 'tragic accident.' He was not under the influence of alcohol, the family said. In the dock: Pistorius denies murder, claiming he shot his model girlfriend, believing a burglar had entered their home while they slept . Tragedy: Reeva Steenkamp died after being shot in the bathroom at Pistorius' home . Blade Runner: Pistorius' coach claims the South African is not ready to head back into action . It comes days after Oscar Pistorius revealed he will not return to the track for the rest of the year so he can focus on his looming court case. Pistorius . stands accused of premeditated murder after the death of his girlfriend . Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead on Valentine's Day at his Pretoria . home. The 'Blade Runner', . who was released on bail in February, will be back in court on June 4 . and is likely to stand trial before the end of 2013. But the Paralympian’s coach Ampie Louw . revealed Pistorius has turned down invitations to take part in major . international athletic events and will stay away from the track. Louw said: 'We have decided as a team we are not talking [about] any training or athletics. 'We have postponed [races] for the whole year.'
But four days after it was taken, Reeva would be dead and Pistorius in court accused of murder. couple . 'He was tickling her,' Pistorius' best friend Christo Menelaou, who took the picture, said Pistorius had grown a thick beard since his girlfriend's death, added: 'He cries a lot and says over and over, "I’m sorry".' Pistorius Pistorius' brother Carl appeared in court charged