05 January 2024 , 16:10
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Former athlete and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius is said to be an overweight chain smoker after his years in prison, with his once dark hair turning grey with age.
His trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was broadcast to televisions around the world which saw the fit and healthy man, take off his prosthetic legs to demonstrate what happened in his home on Valentine's Day in 2013. He was released from prison under the cover of darkness after a statement said he would not be paraded in front of the media.
He has served nine years for the murder of his Reeva at his home in Pretoria. He was jailed for her murder in 2016 and was released from prison after he was granted a second chance at parole at a hearing in November after being wrongly ruled ineligible for early release in March 2023. A journalist close to the former sportsman said he was now a greying, overweight smoker.
The announcement confirming Pistorius had been released came at around 8.30am this morning, indicating corrections officials had released the world-famous double-amputee Olympic runner from the Atteridgeville Correctional Center in the South African capital, Pretoria, under the cover of darkness in the early hours.
Photographers could be seen outside the prison this morning, but Pistorius was likely already back home as they were setting up. The statement added, the now 37 year old, would not be "paraded," indicating they will attempt to keep him away from the media.
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Reeva Steenkamp (Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius with Reeva Steenkamp in 2012 (FRENNIE SHIVAMBU/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Reeva was shot multiple times through a toilet door at Pistorius' home on Valentine's Day 2013. Pistorius claimed at trial he thought an intruder was present in the house and that Ms Steenkamp was still in bed. He was originally convicted of culpable homicide, but the Supreme Court of Appeal found him guilty of murder.
The Supreme Court ruled that Pistorius' account of the night "varied substantially" and that he had "fired without having a rational or genuine fear that his life was in danger".
Following his release, Pistorius will be housed at his uncle Arnold's £2million 12-bed, three-storey mansion in Pretoria’s exclusive Waterkloof suburb. The property and tourism tycoon has armed guards with attack dogs and has installed razor wire fences around the converted Dutch Reformed church.
Pistorius' uncle's house in Waterkloof, a suburb of Pretoria (AFP via Getty Images)His uncle Arnold will allegedly join Pistorius' brother Carl, aunt Lois and sister Aimee, who has flown to South Africa from her job in London, to draw up a plan to keep the athlete safe and in line with the demands of Attenbridgeville Corrections Department parole officers, including daily checks. It is understood a role as some kind of preacher may also be on the cards, in terms of possible work he can do.
Today, Carl posted a message indicating support for his brother, while also suggesting he has changed since the death of Ms Steenkamp some 11 years ago. Quoting classical Greek philosopher Heraclitus, he wrote: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river... and he is not the same man."