UPDATE: Nearly 11 years after Olympic “blade runner” and double amputee Oscar Pistorius killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in the home they shared, he has been released.
According to CNN, Pistorius’ freedom comes after a parole board granted him petition in November 2023. Pistorius was eligible for parole because according to South African law, he had served half of his 13-year sentence.
Spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, told CNN that Pistorius was released on Friday morning, January 5, 2024. The former Olympian will be on parole until 2029.
On the 10-year anniversary of their daughter’s tragic death, the parents of Reeva Steenkamp visited Oscar Pistorius – the man who shot and killed her on February 14, 2013 – in prison. While no one is questioning whether or not he killed her, Barry and June Steenkamp are still hoping to learn why he did it.
On that fateful day in 2013, Pistorius fired multiple shots through the couple’s bathroom door – which was locked at the time. Inside the bathroom was his girlfriend, Reeva, who was shot multiple times and died moments later. He claims he thought she was an intruder – a story he continues to stand by to this day.
It was on this day 10 years ago when Oscar Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp. I still get the chills remembering that phone call, man.
— Masego (@Masego) February 14, 2023
May your soul continue to RIP Reevs pic.twitter.com/nJlgfVHRgG
He was convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 and sentenced to 5 years in prison, but that decision was overturned in 2015 when Pistorius was convicted of murder and sentenced to six years. That’s not all – his sentence was then increased to 13 years, 5 months in 2017 after an appeal for a stiffer sentence.
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Now 10 years later, Oscar Pistorius is just a few weeks away from potentially being freed on parole. The parents of his slain girlfriend decided to visit him in prison ahead of that possibility and spoke with Good Morning Britain for nearly 10 minutes on Valentine’s Day – a day that hasn’t felt the same since 2013.
The married couple expressed their reasoning for visiting Pistorius in prison, saying they just wanted to know the truth about what happened on that fateful day. They continue to believe that he shot and killed her out of anger, but Pistorius stuck to his original story – he killed her thinking she was an intruder.
“We just love her so much and miss her. Part of our life is gone. We will see her one day, but that’s what we look forward to,” said June Steenkamp – the victim’s grieving mother. As for the legal parole process that will ensue very soon, they’re prepared to let the law run its course – so long as it’s done legally.
Pistorius, who had both of his feet amputated when he was just 11 months old due to a congenital defect, rose to fame as a professional sprinter. He’s one of just 10 athletes to compete at both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games. He’s due for parole in March.
Oscar Pistorius Participated in South Africa’s Restorative Justice Process
In a report by CNN, it was confirmed that Oscar Pistorius has taken part in South Africa’s ‘Restorative Justice’ process. While this doesn’t allow an offender to escape punishment, it does give them the opportunity to acknowledge their crime and take responsibility for their heinous actions – legally.
Meeting with the victim’s parents is part of that Restorative Process, giving Pistorius the opportunity to apologize for what transpired on February 14, 2013. Unfortunately, the truth is still in doubt. The process for setting up the meeting began a year ago and was led by the Department of Correctional Services.
A hotline for gender-based violence has been set up for those who feel unsafe in their homes during the #Covid19SA lockdown. Shelters will remain functional.
— Reeva Steenkamp Foundation (@RRSF_official) March 26, 2020
The Police have also strengthened the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit. pic.twitter.com/U5Tr22cpCW
In hopes of continuing the incredible work, her daughter started while she was alive, June Steenkamp has ‘taken over the baton’ with the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation – which was created in 2015. Instead of sitting around and crying about her daughter’s death, June wanted to do something about it.
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According to the foundation’s website, its purpose is to “raise awareness of the horrific statistics of violence and abuse against women and children not only in South Africa but around the world, by using her voice to educate and speak against abuse of women and children, as Reeva had done.”