Reeva Steenkamp’s mother reveals she’s forgiven Oscar Pistorius for killing her daughter

The mother of Reeva Steenkamp, who was tragically shot dead on February 14 last year by Oscar Pistorius - revealed she has forgiven the athlete for killing her daughter.

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Pictures from the first days of Pistorius's trial show June Steenkamp, 67, watching Oscar intently as he walks into the court room.

And now in an interview after the second day in court, Reeva's mother says she has made the brave decision to forgive the Paralympian.

June Steenkamp is seen staring at Oscar as he enters court
June Steenkamp is seen staring at Oscar as he enters court

Explaining her stunning act of compassion, Ms Steenkamp said:

'It's actually important to forgive him for me, because I don't want to live with bitterness in my life.'

'It would become my whole being. I don't want that.'

'I've lost the most precious thing in my life - my beautiful daughter…But still I can forgive. I can forgive.'

Continuing, Mrs Steenkamp, who cried as Pistorius was tried, said: 'He made a mistake - an enormous mistake - and I've lost the most precious thing in my life - my beautiful daughter…But still I can forgive. I can forgive.'

She added that it was important to her that Oscar see her in court - but that he had been unable to look her in the eye during the proceedings.

In another tragic blow to the family, Reeva's father Barry suffered a stroke after the stress of his daughter's death. Mrs Steenkamp commented that he wouldn't have been able to endure the courtroom and would have potentially had another stroke.

Reeva was shot three times in the early hours of February 14 2013

On Tuesday the court heard Pistorius's defence slam claims from neighbours that there were gunshots followed by screaming, as they said Reeva would have been so badly brain damaged from a bullet she sustained to the head, that she would have lost cognitive function.

'I wish I could have been there to protect her,' said June.

'That was the time I broke down. The screaming…you know. That was my child there that was screaming, that was injured and dying.'

'We want the truth…I don't wish him any harm. I just want the truth.'

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