Oscar Pistorius released on parole after murdering Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius was released on parole after serving half his sentence for killing his girlfriend. Her mother is unhappy.

Oscar Pistorius, the former South African Paralympic star, has been released on parole after serving almost 11 years for the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times through a bathroom door on Feb. 14, 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder. He was initially convicted of manslaughter, which was later upgraded to murder.

June Steenkamp, Reeva's mother, released a statement expressing her hope for peace now that Pistorius is free. Despite forgiving Pistorius, she stated that she still does not believe him.

The decision to release Pistorius on parole was made by a board in November, as he had completed more than half of his sentence, making him eligible under South African law. He will be monitored until his sentence expires in Dec. 2029 and will have to adhere to several conditions, including abstaining from alcohol, attending anger management therapy, and participating in classes on gender-based violence.

Pistorius, also known as the "Blade Runner," gained fame in the 2010s and made history as the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics at the 2012 London games. The murder trial garnered global attention and unfolded during the peak of his professional success. Steenkamp, a model and law school graduate, had been dating Pistorius for three months at the time of her death.