'I LOVE YOU'
Inside Reeva Steenkamp’s heartbreaking Valentine’s Day card she gave Oscar Pistorius hours before he slaughtered her
REEVA Steenkamp told Oscar Pistorius she loved him in a Valentine's Day card hours before he gunned her down.
Former Paralympic gold-medallist Pistorius, 36, was denied parole today over the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva, 29, in 2013.
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He has served just half of his 13 year sentence and now faces another seven years behind bars.
The ex-sprinter shot dead model Reeva through the locked door of the bathroom of his home in Pretoria in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.
Pistorius - who was known worldwide as the "Blade Runner" because of his carbon-fibre prosthetics - claimed he mistook her for an intruder.
During his lengthy trial in 2014, Pistorius choked back tears as he was asked to read out the Valentine's Day card from Reeva.
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Reeva had given him the card and a wrapped picture frame with photos of the pair on the evening of February 13, 2013 - hours before he gunned her down.
Reading the card out loud to the court, Pistorius said: "Roses are red, violets are blue. I think today is a good day to tell you that... I love you."
He said the envelope said "Ozzy" with "some hearts and a squiggle" and the card was signed "Reeves" with a smiley face and kisses.
The court heard that the athlete had not bought a card or a gift for his girlfriend.
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During the trial, Pistorius told the court he could not face opening the card and present for months after Reeva died - but finally did on her birthday in August, 2013.
Pistorius was denied parole on Friday as he "did not complete the minimum Detention Period", the Department of Correctional Services confirmed.
The board cited a new clarification on Pistorius' sentence that was issued by South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal three days ago.
Since Pistorius was jailed, there has been legal wrangling over when he should be eligible for parole because of a series of appeals in his case.
Pistorius - who had both his legs amputated below the knee as a baby after being born without fibulas - will be eligible to apply for parole again in August 2024.
Tania Koen, a lawyer representing Reeva's family, said the result was a "huge sense of relief" for mum June, who attended the hearing.
She said on behalf of Reeva's parents: "While we welcome today's decision, today is not a cause for celebration.
"We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail."
Following a lengthy trial and several appeals, Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 13 years and five months behind bars in 2017.
He was initially sentenced to six years in jail but the term was doubled after the state appealed it was too lenient.
Offenders in South Africa are automatically eligible for parole consideration after serving half of their sentence.
Reeva's heartbroken mum June said she was "very stressed" as she arrived for the hearing at the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria, South Africa.
She told reporters from her car that she and husband Barry were rallying against Pistorius being released as they "do not believe his story".
June added: "It's going to be very hard to be in the same room as him. I don't believe his story."
As part of his rehabilitation, Pistorius met June and Barry last year.
Barry revealed the runner "wailed like a child" as he tried to explain his actions and refused to accept he was a murderer.
The grieving dad said he cut the meeting short as he "didn't get the answers" he wanted.
He had agreed to speak face-to-face with Pistorius as he wanted to challenge him on why he shot his model daughter.
But Barry said he left the meeting early after Pistorius failed to "tell the truth".
A year before killing Reeva, Pistorius became the first double amputee to race at the Olympics at the London 2012 games.
On the tenth anniversary of Reeva's death last month, her brother Adam told The Sun Pistorius should not be allowed out of jail early and must serve his full term.
"I absolutely stand by his view that Oscar is unrepentant and obviously still does not take responsibility for the murder of my sister and that he should continue to serve his time," he said.
Adam paid tribute to his sister, a "wonderful, bright person with a great sense of humour" and said his family will "never come to terms" with her death.
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"I miss her every day. What happened that morning ten years ago has had devastating consequences on everyone," he added.
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