Oscar Pistorius, the former Paralympian track star who was convicted of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, has been spotted for the first time in eight years since his release from prison. Pistorius served nine years of a 13-year sentence for the crime, during which he maintained that he thought Steenkamp was a burglar when he shot her through a closed bathroom door. Prosecutors argued that he knew it was her behind the door, after an argument and seeing her run into the bathroom. Pistorius, now 37, was recently seen in images looking noticeably thinner and greyer than before, as he has been residing in his uncle’s mansion in Pretoria, South Africa.
Since his release in January, Pistorius has been on parole until 2029 and must follow strict rules including regular check-ins from his parole officer, a ban on social media use, and no contact with the Steenkamp family. He is also required to undergo anger management courses to help him control his temper, which was believed to have contributed to Steenkamp’s murder. The former track star has reportedly been regularly working out and following an alcohol-free diet in an effort to maintain his physical health. However, he is said to have struggled to find employment upon his release, with members of the South Africa’s Paralympic Committee stating that he is “too toxic” to work with.
Friends of Reeva Steenkamp have expressed their outrage and disgust at seeing Pistorius smiling in recent photos, with one friend remarking that she would “wipe that smile off his face” if she could. The friend described Pistorius’ apparent lack of remorse as disturbing and questioned how he could sleep at night knowing what he had done. Pistorius rose to fame as a Paralympic track star, earning the nickname “Blade Runner” due to the prosthetic legs he used to compete in races against able-bodied individuals. He made history when he competed in the 2012 London Olympics, despite being born without fibula bones in his legs and undergoing amputations as a young child.
Despite his athletic achievements, Pistorius is primarily known for the tragic murder of Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013, a crime for which he was convicted and served time in prison. He continues to be a controversial figure, with many questioning his character and remorse, particularly in light of his recent release and sightings. The images of a grinning Pistorius, looking older and thinner, have sparked outrage among those who knew Steenkamp and have been following the case since the beginning. As Pistorius adjusts to life outside of prison, he faces ongoing challenges and scrutiny as he attempts to rebuild his life while carrying the weight of his past actions.
