Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing girlfriend

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SOUTH AFRICA, Jan 6: After an 11-year incarceration for the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, former South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole as of January 5, 2024. The tragic incident occurred on February 14, 2013, when Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner” for his state-of-the-art prosthetic legs, fatally shot Steenkamp four times through the bathroom door of their Pretoria home.

A statement from South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services confirmed Pistorius’s parole, stating that he is now under Community Corrections and residing at home. Pistorius had claimed he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, leading to his actions. Initially convicted of culpable homicide in 2014, he later faced a murder charge, resulting in a 13-year and five-month prison sentence in 2016.

Upon his release, Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp, expressed concerns about justice and the impact on her family. She questioned if Oscar had served enough time, emphasizing that no amount of time served would bring Reeva back, and the family is enduring a lifelong sentence.

In an emotional interview before his sentencing in 2016, Pistorius acknowledged taking Reeva’s life and expressed remorse for the irreversible consequences of his actions. The recent parole decision has sparked further reflection on the tragedy and its aftermath.

The Steenkamp family’s lawyer outlined parole conditions, revealing that Pistorius would report to a parole officer, attend gender-based violence classes, and continue anger management therapy. June Steenkamp, in a letter during the parole board hearing, raised concerns about Pistorius’s anger issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing them comprehensively.

Despite Pistorius’s release, the Steenkamp family continues to grapple with the lasting impact of their daughter’s tragic death. Barry Steenkamp, Reeva’s father, passed away earlier this year, reportedly devastated by the thought of failing to protect his daughter and possibly succumbing to a broken heart. June Steenkamp expressed her desire to focus on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, aiming to continue Reeva’s legacy and raise awareness about gender-based violence.

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