Who Were Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius?
Reeva Steenkamp was a South African model and law graduate. Oscar Pistorius was a Paralympic sprinter known as the "Blade Runner." They began a high-profile relationship in 2012. Their lives became central to a major international criminal case.
The Incident and Legal Proceedings
On February 14, 2013, Pistorius shot Steenkamp at his home. He claimed he mistook her for an intruder. He was initially convicted of culpable homicide. The conviction was later upgraded to murder on appeal.
Pistorius was sentenced to prison for murder. The case drew global attention to issues of domestic violence and celebrity justice. Steenkamp's family pursued a separate civil claim for damages. The trial proceedings were documented in detail by major news outlets BBC News.
