Reeva Steenkamp's Family Continues to Seek Justice as Oscar Pistorius is Granted Parole
Delve into the life of Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic sprinter convicted of the tragic murder of South African model Reeva Steenkamp, as explored in the upcoming CNN series. Despite his release on parole, questions linger for the family seeking closure and answers.
On May 12, tune in to CNN's series "How it Really Happened" to learn more about the life of Oscar Pistorius. He is a double-amputee Paralympic and Olympic sprinter who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, South African model Reeva Steenkamp, over ten years ago.
Pistorius, also known as the "Blade Runner" because of his carbon-fiber prosthetics, was previously celebrated as an inspiring figure.
At the 2012 London Games, he made history by being the first Paralympian to compete at an Olympics. Throughout his successful track career, he won a total of eight Paralympic medals, with six of them being gold. However, tragedy struck when he was at the peak of his athletic abilities on February 14, 2013, leading to the death of Steenkamp.
According to Scott Roder, a crime scene reconstruction expert who was involved in the case, Oscar Pistorius was likened to a combination of LeBron James' celebrity status and Leonardo DiCaprio's appeal. This comparison was made in CNN's documentary, which was hosted by Jesse L. Martin.
The documentary includes clips from the courtroom in Pretoria, South Africa, where Pistorius was tried for murder in 2013 and had a parole hearing in 2023. It also has interviews with Steenkamp's mother, modeling agent, and family attorney.
CNN's documentary examines the details leading to Reeva Steenkamp’s murder
CNN's documentary examines the details leading to Reeva Steenkamp’s murder
Rikki Hibbert Photography/Courtesy of Stimulii
Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times through the bathroom door of his house, sparking a trial that captured worldwide interest. During the trial, he claimed that he did not intentionally kill her out of anger but rather mistook her for an intruder.
He entered a plea of not guilty to one count of murder and a firearms charge related to the incident involving Steenkamp.
He was first found guilty of manslaughter and given a five-year prison sentence, but this was later changed to murder, extending his time behind bars to six years. In 2017, the South Africa Supreme Court of Appeal lengthened his sentence to 13 years and five months.
The documentary delves into the events that led up to Steenkamp’s tragic death, exploring the couple's arguments communicated through WhatsApp and the athlete's fascination with guns. However, his reasons for committing the crime still remain a mystery.
“Why would he kill her? Why did he do it?” Steenkamp’s mother, June, asked in the documentary.
FILE - Oscar Pistorius leaves the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 14, 2016 during his trail for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Oscar Pistorius is due on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 to be released from prison on parole to live under strict conditions at a family home after serving nearly nine years of his murder sentence for the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)
Oscar Pistorius, the South African athlete, is set to be released on parole from prison on January 5, 2024. He had been serving a nearly nine-year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he shot on Valentine's Day in 2013. Pistorius will be living under strict conditions at a family home after his release.
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Oscar Pistorius released from South Africa prison after serving 9 years for murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
She described Pistorius’ account as "complete nonsense and untruths," and openly shared the heartache she experienced on the night of the incident in 2013. The moment she received the news of her daughter's passing was etched in her memory as "the most devastating day of my life."
Overwhelmed with grief, she admitted, "I was in a state of panic. All I could think about was joining her. I couldn't bear the thought of living without her."
The documentary reveals the fast-paced love story of the couple and the life of Steenkamp, who was described by her mother as a "blessing, a gift from God. Very clever, and she was always laughing."
Tania Koen, CEO of the Reeva Steenkamp Foundation, expressed, "She would have achieved amazing things. She was kind, passionate, and compassionate. The world was a better place with Reeva in it."
Pistorius, who is now 37 years old, was released on parole on January 5 this year. A parole board approved his request in November because he had completed half of his 13-year sentence for the murder of Steenkamp, which made him eligible under South African law.
Since his release, Pistorius has maintained a low profile. However, the conditions of his parole include limitations on his movements, mandatory participation in gender-based violence classes, anger management therapy, abstaining from alcohol, and a ban on speaking to the media.
Steenkamp’s mother has been openly critical of his release and has voiced her worries about the safety of other women.
"In my opinion, I still have doubts about Oscar being fully rehabilitated," she mentioned in a victim impact statement in November 2023.
Rehabilitation involves facing the truth about one's crime and its consequences. It is important to be honest about what happened. Without acknowledging the full truth, it is impossible to truly feel remorse.
Remorse is a crucial aspect of rehabilitation. If someone does not show remorse, it indicates that they have not fully accepted responsibility for their actions. Without genuine remorse, the risk of repeating the same behavior is high.
“Oscar Pistorius: The Bladerunner” airs on CNN on Sunday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Editor's P/S:
The case of Oscar Pistorius is a tragic and perplexing one. A celebrated athlete who became a convicted murderer, Pistorius' story raises important questions about justice, accountability, and the nature of redemption. The CNN documentary "How it Really Happened" provides a comprehensive look at the case, exploring the events leading up to Reeva Steenkamp's murder and its aftermath. The documentary features interviews with Steenkamp's family and friends, as well as experts who offer insights into Pistorius' mindset and the legal proceedings that followed.
While Pistorius has been released on parole, the pain and loss felt by Steenkamp's family remains raw. June Steenkamp, Reeva's mother, has expressed doubts about Pistorius' rehabilitation and the safety of other women. She believes that true rehabilitation requires facing the truth and showing genuine remorse, qualities she does not believe Pistorius has fully demonstrated. The case highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of the criminal justice system. While Pistorius has served his time in prison, his actions have had lasting and devastating consequences for Steenkamp's family. Whether he can ever truly atone for his crime and rebuild his life remains an open question.
