Oscar Pistorius, an Olympic runner and double leg amputee, best known around the world as ‘Blade Runner,’ finally broke his silence on the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The South African athlete has been accused of her murder and is set to go to trial, but has maintained his innocence.
Exactly one year after Steenkamp’s death, Pistorius wrote on his website that, “No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved - and continues to love Reeva.” He said that he is “consumed” with “pain and sadness” for Steenkamp’s parents, family and friends.
“The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” Pistorius wrote.
ABC News reports that Steenkamp’s parents have not responded to Pistorius’ statement. Earlier this week, they pleaded for privacy, stating, “Without offending the media, or any well-meaning persons, we would like to ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
Pistorius, 27, has insisted that shooting Steenkamp was an accident, believing that the sounds that woke him up that night were of a burglar entering his home. But prosecutors say that he killed her during a violent argument.
The trial is expected to draw plenty of media attention and one South African cable network is launching a 24/7 channel to cover every aspect.
The trial starts on March 3 in Pretoria.
image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
