Oscar Pistorius released on parole and at home 11 years after murdering Reeva Steenkamp - live
Pistorius admitted to system of community corrections and is now at home
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Paralympian gold medalist Oscar Pistorius was freed from a South African prison today, 11 years after he killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
He is admitted to the system of community corrections and is now at home, said South Africa’s Correctional Services Department.
The double amputee was convicted of murdering Steenkamp after he shot her multiple times through a locked toilet door with a 9mm pistol on Valentine’s Day at their Pretoria home in 2013.
Now reportedly a grey haired smoker who has turned to religion, the 37-year-old will begin his new life on parole a few miles away from the South African capital behind the high walls of his wealthy uncle’s guarded property.
Live: View of South Africa prison as Oscar Pistorius released on parole
A gun enthusiast, Pistorius claimed he thought Ms Steenkamp was an intruder but was convicted of culpable homicide - a crime similar to manslaughter - in 2014.
He was found guilty of the more serious charge of murder in 2015 and he was later sentenced to 13 years in prison after prosecutors won an appeal on the grounds his initial sentence was too lenient.
Thank you for reading
Thanks for following our live blog of this event, we are now pausing our coverage.
Track star, convicted killer, now parolee. A timeline of Oscar Pistorius's life
Major moments in the life of Oscar Pistorius, the South African double-amputee Olympic runner who was released from prison on parole Friday having served nearly nine years of a murder sentence for the 2013 killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius, 37, will have to live under strict conditions until his full sentence of 13 years and five months expires on Dec. 5, 2029.
Nov. 22, 1986 — Pistorius is born with a congenital condition where he has no fibula bones. His legs are amputated below the knee before he is a year old.
Read the full article here
Track star, convicted killer, now parolee. A timeline of Oscar Pistorius's life
A list of the major moments in the life of Oscar Pistorius, the South African double-amputee Olympic runner who was released from prison on parole Friday having served nearly nine years of a murder sentence for the 2013 killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
Flowers delivered to the home of Oscar Pistorius’ uncle
Flowers have been delivered to the home of Oscar Pistorius’ uncle in the upmarket suburb of Waterkloof, Pretoria, South Africa.
Watch live: Oscar Pistorius to be seen for first time since prison release after Reeva Steenkamp murder
Watch live: Oscar Pistorius to be seen for first time since prison release
Watch live as Oscar Pistorius to be seen for first time since prison release 11 years after Reeva Steenkamp murder on Friday (5 January).
Former detective details prison phone calls with Oscar Pistorius
Former detective details prison phone calls with Oscar Pistorius
A former detective and investigative journalist has detailed his prison phone calls with Oscar Pistorius. The Paralympian gold medalist was freed from a South African prison today (5 January), 11 years after he killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Former detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who was the only journalist to interview Pistorius following the murder of Ms Steenkamp, has now revealed he spoke to him while he was in prison in South Africa. Speaking on Sky News on Friday, Mr Williams-Thomas said: "This is a man who regrets every moment of that night."
What happened on the day Oscar Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp?
On Valentine’s Day in 2013, Oscar Pistorius pulled the trigger four times on his 9mm pistol as Reeva Steenkamp stood inside a locked toilet cubicle in his home.
The vital question has still never been answered: Did the Olympic runner know he was shooting at and killing his girlfriend?
Only Pistorius really knows for sure what he did, and he may be the only person who ever will.
Read the full article here
What happened on the day Oscar Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp?
Oscar Pistorius is to be released from prison on parole having served half of a 13-year sentence for murder
In pictures: Press gathered outside the home of Pistorius family
Photographers and journalists have set up camp outside the home of Oscar Pistorius’ uncle, where he will remain for the next five years while serving out the remainder of his parole period.
Could Oscar Pistorius make Paralympic return after prison release?
Former Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison after he was granted parole nearly 11 years after killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
On February 14, 2013, he shot and killed Steenkamp before being sent to jail after a high-profile trial in South Africa.
Pistorius became eligible for parole in March 2023, after he had served half of his 13 years and five months sentence for murder and was duly granted parole on 24 November, which took effect on 5 January.
Read the full story here
Could Oscar Pistorius make Paralympic return after prison release?
Six-time Paralympic champion Pistorius has been released on parole this week and, at the age of 37, speculation has started over a potential return to athletics
Female violence charity hopes Pistorius comes out ‘a better human’
While the murder of Reeva Steenkamp prompted protests and calls for actions, the news of Pistorius release has been slightly more muted.
“He has ticked all the necessary boxes,” said Themba Masango, secretary general of Not In My Name International, a group that campaigns against violence against women. “And we can only wish and hope Oscar Pistorius will come out a better human being.”
“We tend to forget that there is a possibility where somebody can be rehabilitated.”
Reeva Steenkamp’s mother recalls day their lives ‘changed forever'
In a heartfelt statement, June Steenkamp said: “February 2013 (was) the day life changed forever. The day South Africa lost its hero, Oscar Pistorius, and the day Barry and I lost our precious daughter, Reeva, at Oscar’s hands.
“Now, almost 11 years later, the pain is still raw and real, and my dear late husband Barry and I have never been able to come to terms with Reeva’s death, or the way she died.
“Through the years Barry and I were encouraged by the love and messages of support from both friends and strangers.
“I wish I could thank each one personally for carrying Barry and I through these difficult years. Part of Barry and my daily conversations were always flooded by the sorrow we felt for the parents and families of victims whose perpetrators were not brought to book.
“Our thoughts remained with them as they were denied any form of closure and the names of their loved ones never recognised or honoured
“It made us feel guilty to an extent, but at the same time the trauma of re-living and re-telling our story has been a huge cross for us to bear.
“Whilst we remain grateful to the media, the intensity of the coverage of Oscar’s trial, imprisonment and parole has been a double-edged sword.
“The media interest meant the loss of our privacy and made it difficult to mourn in peace. Sadly, reports were often accompanied by verbal and emotional abuse by some members of the public – not only towards us, but also towards our deceased daughter.
“It is my sincere wish, and it was Barry’s too, that people will take a moment to consider the impact of their hurtful comments.
“We did not choose this. We would much rather have our loving daughter alive, and laughing, with us.”