Oscar Pistorius' life after jail from hitman threat to unrecognisable new look

05 January 2024 , 07:54

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Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to 13 years and five months for murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (Image: Getty Images)

Athlete Oscar Pistorius, who won gold medals at multiple Paralympic Games and competed at London 2012, was at the height of his career when he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013.

Convicted of murder the following year, the sprinter was granted parole in November after serving eight and a half years at the low-security Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in his home town of Pretoria.

What will life look like now as Pistorius, 37, is being released? Sources suggest he is set to live in the grounds of his uncle Arnold's estate. The property and tourism tycoon owns a £2million 12 bed, three storey mansion in the affluent Waterkloof suburb of Pretoria. Pistorius will reportedly live in a five-star cottage in the grounds of the converted Dutch Reform Church, kitted out with panic alarms, a gatehouse and armed security.

Arnold's mansion is itself patrolled by armed guards with attack dogs and there is razor wire fencing surrounding the property. Security could be critical for Pistorius, who has faced intimidation from figures from the South African underworld since his crime. Self-confessed contract killer Mikey Schultz unsettled the former athlete during his trial as did a second hardman, Marc Batchelor, who was killed in a gangland-style hit when Pistorius was inside.

“I don’t want him anywhere near me,” said Pistorius's sister Aimee to reporters at court, accusing Schultz of swearing at her and giving her hostile stares as she watched her sibling's trial. He denied the allegation saying that he was in court to support a friend, Jared Mortimer, who was due to give evidence of an altercation with the star. Meanwhile, Pistorius is said to fear the reaction from the general public when he is released back into the community.

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Reeva Steenkamp was 29 when she was killed by Pistorius (AFP/Getty Images)

The model and law graduate had been dating the athlete for three months (Getty Images)

Paroled until the end of his sentence in 2029, the former athlete, known as Blade Runner, won't be allowed to leave the area he lives without gaining express permission from the authorities. The authorities must also be notified of any major changes in his life, including getting a job, entering a new relationship or moving house.

A double below-the-knee amputee, Pistorius enjoyed a glittering athletic career, making his fortune by winning a host of sponsorship deals alongside his medals. By the time of his trial he was said to be broke and while his competition days are now over, he may be able to use his sporting skills in coaching or elsewhere in the industry.

Some reports suggest the athlete could turn to faith upon his release and after leading bible studies inside prison, may become a preacher. His uncle Arnold, who is like a second father to him, is a committed Christian who has said his nephew has "matured a lot and his soul is in the right place" since he killed Reeva.

Pistorius anchors his relay team to victory at the London 2012 Paralympic Games (AFP via Getty Images)

South African law states Pistorius must carry out community service post prison and his rehabilitation into society includes completing programmes to deal with anger issues and violence towards women. The killer won't however need to wear an electronic tag.

While Pistorius hasn't been pictured since he was sentenced to 13 years and five months in jail, reports suggest his appearance has altered since his days as an elite athlete, growing a beard and gaining some weight. He is thought to have become a smoker who has told friends he is looking forward to eating lasagne and watching his favourite films Snatch and Full Metal Jacket upon his release.

June Steenkamp says her husband, Reeva's father Barry, died of a "broken heart" last year (ITV)

Pistorius has always maintained he mistook Reeva for an intruder in his home when he shot her four times through the bathroom door, while prosecutors successfully argued her killing was in a fit of rage. Reeva's mum June has expressed concerns at his rehabilitation in prison for this reason, saying: “Nobody can claim to have remorse if they are not able to engage fully with the truth. If someone does not show remorse, they cannot be considered to be rehabilitated.”

Reeva's dad Barry, June's husband, died from a stroke last September. “I have no doubt that Barry died of a broken heart,” said June. “No parent should have to bury a child and most certainly not in the circumstances that prevailed in the demise of Reeva.”

A close friend of Barry, a well-known figure in the community and a racehorse trainer, said his death will also have brought Pistorius potential new enemies. The friend, a well-known bookmaker, told The Sun: “It’s common knowledge that Oscar was a target big-time for killing Reeva even before he went into prison, and those enemies have not gone away."

He added: "All he [Barry] wanted was to hear the truth. But Oscar would not give him the truth while he was protected behind bars. But now that he is coming back out into the real world, he could be ‘persuaded’ to tell the truth."

Vikki White