On Friday, Oscar Pistorius, a former Paralympian athlete from South Africa, was granted parole, nearly 11 years after killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in an assault that horrified a nation used to violence against women.
On Valentine’s Day, Pistorius, who went under the moniker “Blade Runner” because of his carbon fiber prosthetic legs, shot and killed 29-year-old model Steenkamp through a closed toilet door. Valentine’s Day in 2013.
The mother of former athlete Steenkamp stated that although she understood the decision to free her son, her family was the ones “serving a life sentence.”
The 37-year-old Oscar Pistorius repeatedly shot Steenkamp through a door in 2013.
In 2015, Pistorius’s manslaughter conviction was overturned by an appeals court, leading to his final conviction for murder.
After serving half of their overall sentence—Pistorius’s was set at 13 years and 5 months in 2017—all criminals in South Africa are eligible to be considered for parole.
The 37-year-old Oscar Pistorius departed the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre outside Pretoria to start a new life of supervised freedom, where he will have to obtain permission from the authorities for numerous everyday activities.
Oscar Pistorius is a parolee, as of January 5, 2024, according to a statement from the South African Department of Correctional Services. The department also stated that he is currently at home after being accepted into the Community Corrections system.
There were no more specifics about his release from the department.
Reeva’s mother June said in a statement released on Friday by the Steenkamp family attorney that there could never be fairness if your loved one never returns and that serving time would not make Reeva come back.
June Steenkamp stated that Reeva’s only wish was to be permitted to live in peace following Pistorius’s release on parole, adding that they, the ones left behind, were the ones facing a life sentence.
Oscar Pistorius was freed on Friday morning from the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, which is located west of Pretoria, according to a statement issued by Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesman for the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in South Africa. Up until his sentence expires in 2029, he will be subject to parole restrictions.
Pistorius was not spotted on Friday leaving the prison or going home, despite a press conference taking place outside the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre. The wealthy Pretoria neighborhood of Waterkloof is home to his uncle Arnold Pistorius; a police van was seen outside his house on Friday morning.
Although it hasn’t been formally verified, local media has speculated that Pistorius will be residing there during his parole period.
Until the remaining term on his murder conviction finishes in December 2029, Pistorius will be subject to stringent parole requirements.
The winning Paralympian sprinter’s release, like that of any other parolee, does not imply that he has completed his sentence, the Department of Corrections has stressed.
Pistorius’ parole requirements include limiting the amount of time he may spend outside of his house, prohibiting alcohol use, and requiring him to participate in anger management and aggression against women programs. He has to complete community service as well.
Oscar Pistorius’ Life Story
Nov. 22, 1986: Pistorius is born without fibula bones due to a congenital ailment. Before he turns a year old, both of his legs are removed underground.
May 16, 2008 — Already a double Paralympic winner, Pistorius overturns a prior prohibition in sports’ top court, enabling him to compete against competitors with able bodies at the greatest track competitions in the world using specially made carbon-fiber running blades.
August 4, 2012 — Pistorius achieves his goal of competing in the Olympics. He places second in a 400-meter heat to get to the London semifinals, but he is unable to make it to the championship race.
Being the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics and becoming one of the world’s most famous athletes, “Blade Runner” continues to make history.
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