Oscar Pistorius is now a free man after being smuggled out of prison by officials.
The Blade Runner was escorted from Atteridgeville Correctional Center and taken to his new home where he will stay with his uncle Arnold Pistorius in Pretoria, some 11 years after he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Parole officials insisted he would be treated no differently than other inmates, but he was allowed a private exit even though dozens of journalists from TV crews were waiting at the main gate.
A police car was later seen pulling into his uncle's home in nearby Waterkloof.
The disgraced Paralympian is “now at home” after being released on parole on Friday, authorities said.
Steenkamp's mother, June, said in a statement that she was the one “serving a life sentence” in her grief and wished that the release of the man who murdered her daughter would bring her some peace.
Oscar Pistorius (pictured in the dock in 2013) has been released from prison after 11 years for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius (right) and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp arrive at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2012 (file photo). Pistorius shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door in 2013
Prison officers search a car at the main entrance to Atteridgeville Prison in Pretoria. Pistorious was freed today via a back entrance
Members of the media outside the Atteridgeville Correctional Center where South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, was released on parole
June Steenkamp believes Pistorius continues to lie about Reeva's murder but wants to step out of the spotlight to mourn her daughter and husband Barry, who died “of a broken heart” last September.
Reeva died after Pistorius shot her four times through the bathroom door of her home on Valentine's Day 2013.
He insisted it was an accident, believing a burglar had broken into the house.
Pistorius was released from Atteridgeville Corrections Center 11 years after Reeva was shot.
In a heartfelt statement today, Ms Steenkamp said: “February 2013 (was) the day life changed forever.” The day South Africa lost its hero Oscar Pistorius and the day Barry and I lost our precious daughter Reeva at Oscar's hands.
“Now, almost 11 years later, the pain is still intense and real, and my dear late husband Barry and I have never been able to come to terms with Reeva's death or the manner in which she died.
“Over the years, Barry and I have been encouraged by the love and messages of support from friends and strangers.
“I wish I could thank everyone personally for carrying Barry and I through those difficult years.” Part of Barry and my daily conversations were always flooded with the sadness we felt for the parents and families of the victims, whose perpetrators were not brought to justice.
“Our thoughts remained with them as they were denied any degree and their loved ones’ names were never recognized or honored.”
South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius leaves the High Court in Pretoria on June 14, 2016
The house in the Waterkloof suburb of Pretoria, South Africa, where Oscar Pistorius will live
Pistorius' successful participation in the 2012 London Olympics (pictured) made him a huge star in America and the poster boy for Paralympians
“In some ways we felt guilty, but at the same time the trauma of reliving and telling our story was a big cross for us.”
“While we remain grateful to the media, the intensity of coverage of Oscar’s trial, incarceration and parole has been a double-edged sword.”
“The media attention meant a loss of our privacy and made it difficult to mourn in peace.” Regrettably, the reports were often accompanied by verbal and emotional abuse from some citizens – not only towards us, but also towards our deceased daughter.
“It is my sincere wish, and it was Barry's wish, that people take a moment to reflect on the impact of their hurtful comments.”
“We didn’t choose that. We would much rather have our loving daughter alive and laughing with us.
We have always known that probation is part of the South African legal system and we have always said that the law must take its course.
“The release of Oscar Pistorius on parole, subject to certain conditions, has vindicated Barry and my belief in the South African justice system.”
“The conditions imposed by the Parole Board, which include anger management courses and gender-based violence programs, send a clear message that gender-based violence is taken seriously.”
June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, arrives at Atteridgeville Correctional Center to attend his parole hearing in Pretoria, South Africa on March 31, 2023
British-born June Steenkamp (seen comforting her husband Barry in 2014) today told Mail Online how Pistorius, 37, not only took Reeva away from her, but how she also blamed the runner for her husband's eventual death made – and also believes that he had destroyed her dream of having grandchildren
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 400m T44 final during the athletics competition at the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in east London September 8, 2012
She added: “Is there justice for Reeva?” Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one never comes back and Reeva doesn't come back even after serving time. We who remain behind are the ones serving a life sentence.
“With the release of Oscar Pistorius on parole, my only wish is that I can spend my final years in peace and continue to focus on the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation to continue Reeva’s legacy.”
Pistorius, who was born without fibula and had both legs amputated below the knee before his first birthday, was once seen as the embodiment of human triumph over adversity.
The Johannesburg-born athlete rose to global fame in the early 2000s when he won Paralympic gold in the 200 meters at the Athens Games.
Pistorius then set his sights on competing against able-bodied athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was barred from taking part in the event by the governing bodies.
The ban was eventually overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but Pistorius failed to qualify for the Olympics, finishing just 0.70 seconds under the qualifying standard for the 400 meters in Beijing.
Undeterred, he won this year's Paralympics, taking gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400 meters before bidding to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
This time he was successful, reaching the 400 m semi-finals and competing for South Africa in the 4×400 m relay. He also won three more Paralympic medals that year.
But his brilliant career was ruined by a Valentine's Day horror on February 14, 2013, when he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp at Tasha's All White Party on January 26, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa
FILE PHOTO: Paralympics – London 2012 Paralympic Games – Olympic Stadium – 8/9/12 Athletics – Men's 400m – T44 Final – South Africa's Oscar Pistorius celebrates winning gold
Reeva Steenkamp is pictured in 2012, a year before her murder
Pistorius, a gun enthusiast, told the trial he believed Steenkamp was an intruder when he shot them several times with ammunition designed to cause maximum damage to the human body.
He was initially sentenced to five years in prison by a Supreme Court in 2014 for negligent homicide. But in late 2015, the Supreme Court of Appeal found him guilty of the more serious charge of murder following an appeal by prosecutors.
He was initially sentenced to six years in prison in 2016, which was later increased to more than 13 years after prosecutors appealed because the original sentence was too lenient.
In 2022, Pistorius met Steenkamp's father Barry during a process known as victim-offender dialogue – part of South Africa's restorative justice program that brings together parties affected by a crime to achieve closure.
Few details were released about the meeting and Steenkamp's father died in 2023.
Her mother June said in a statement before Pistorius' parole hearing that she was not convinced he had been rehabilitated.
But she added that she had forgiven him “a long time ago because I knew for a fact that if I had to hold on to my anger I wouldn't survive.”