By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Barry Steenkamp, the father of slain model Reeva Steenkamp, has died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening, at the age of 80.
The Reeva Steenkamp Foundation confirmed Steenkamp’s death on a post on Facebook.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden and peaceful passing of Barry Steenkamp in his sleep, on the early evening of 14 September 2023,” the post read.
“Barry was a blessing to many, and he will be remembered with love and great fondness. We find solace in the knowledge that he is now with his beloved Reeva.”
Reeva was shot dead on Valentine’s Day in 2013 by her partner, former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, while she stood behind the closed door of his toilet.
However, he maintained that he believed that she was an intruder.
The former Paralympian was found guilty of culpable homicide, but the Supreme Court of Appeal later overturned it and replaced it with a murder conviction.
The convicted murderer and paralympic champion who is serving a 13-year jail sentence, last month implored the Constitutional Court to address what he called the “utter confusion” surrounding his eligibility for parole.
This comes after the 36-year-old Pistorius’ latest bid for freedom was denied earlier this year.
He is now seeking to overturn the decision to deny him parole, arguing the time he has spent behind bars already means he is eligible for an early release from prison.
Barry is survived by June and his son Adam from his first marriage. He also had a stepdaughter, Simone Cowburn, who is June’s elder daughter from her first marriage.