Oscar Pistorius Mourns Reeva Steenkamp One Year After He Killed His Girlfriend

Olympic and Paralympic runner will stand trial for premeditated murder on March 3

By Zach Johnson Feb 14, 2014 12:12 PMTags
Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp Lucky Nxumalo/City Press/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Oscar Pistorius, the beloved South African athlete who became a murder suspect in February 2013, has issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp's death.

"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," the 27-year-old wrote Friday. "The pain and sadness—especially for Reeva's parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow. The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

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Pistorius, the first double-amputee to run in the Olympics, will stand trial on March 3. The track star was arrested and later charged with premeditated murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison before the chance of parole. Pistorius repeatedly denied the allegation, claiming he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder; the Paralympian shot the 29-year-old beauty four times through a locked bathroom door. A judge will deliver a verdict, as there is no trial by jury in South Africa.

Pistorius, who is out on bail, will also face two additional charges of firing a gun in a public space.