Oscar Pistorius Pictured for First Time as Free Man After Murdering Girlfriend
Images captured by South African news site Netwerk24 reveal Oscar Pistorius’s appearance after his release from jail for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The photographs show a visibly aged and weight-lost Pistorius with thinning gray hair.
Friends of Reeva Steenkamp, who was killed on Valentine’s Day 2013, expressed sympathy for her mother, June Steenkamp, who lost her husband last year to a broken heart. Steenkamp’s lawyer, Tania Koen, said, “I feel sorry for June who is serving a life sentence. She will never get to see Reeva’s smile. Ever.”
Pistorius, now 37, was photographed as he reported to the parole office in Pretoria. Following his controversial release earlier this year, Pistorius has been hiding at his uncle’s nearby £2m mansion. Sources claim that he has been regularly working out and following a strict booze-free diet.
He has been allowed out on parole until 2029 and must adhere to specific conditions set down by Atteridgeville Correction Services officials. Pistorius was ordered to undergo “anger management” courses to address his temper, which prosecutors argued contributed to Reeva’s death.
The former athlete is prohibited from drinking alcohol, handling weapons, and must inform his parole officers of his whereabouts at all times. He must also remain at his uncle Arnold’s home during set hours, including overnight.
Pistorius is forbidden from contacting Steenkamp’s family, posting on social media, giving interviews, or releasing a memoir. During his 2014 murder trial, Pistorius claimed to have mistaken his girlfriend of three months for a burglar before fatally shooting her with a licensed 9mm pistol.
Initially sentenced to five years for culpable homicide, his sentence was increased to 13 years and five months following an appeal from prosecutors. Since his release, Steenkamp’s family has stated that they are “still serving a life sentence.” Her mother, June, said, “My only desire is I will be allowed to live my last years in peace with my focus remaining on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, to continue Reeva’s legacy.”
