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Subscribe to RSS"Always be true to yourself. And...I'm gonna miss you all so much! And I love you very, very much," Reeva Steenkamp said in a show that aired after she was found shot to death. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports.
A reality island TV show featuring the deceased girlfriend of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius aired Saturday in South Africa, just days after the model and budding television personality's death.
Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old law school graduate who died of multiple gunshot wounds inside Pistorius’ Pretoria home on Valentine’s Day, appeared in an episode of Tropika Island of Treasure on Saturday.
Steenkamp and Pistorius, a double-amputee athlete who ran in the London Olympics, had been dating for several months and reportedly “seemed happy” prior to her death early Thursday. Prosecutors accused Pistorius Friday of having committed “premeditated” murder in the shooting.
On Saturday, Pistorius’ uncle said that the runner was “numb with shock” in the family’s first on-camera statement since the incident. Pistorius, 26, and Steenkamp “had plans together and Oscar was happier in his private life than he had been for a long time,” uncle Arnold Pistorius said in a statement.
Steenkamp’s family was not consulted about the decision to air the pre-taped show, cousin Sharon Steenkamp told the Associated Press, but they were not upset by the decision.
Prosecutor: 'Blade Runner' Pistorius committed 'premeditated' murder of girlfriend
“Her last words to us personally was that she wants us to watch it,” Sharon Steenkamp told the AP.
The show's makers defended their decision.
“They want it on,” Samantha Moon, the show’s executive producer, told the AP. “This is how they want to remember her. This is what she would have wanted.”
“Definitely the SABC is going ahead with the airing of the program today,” SABC spokeswoman Kaizer Kganyago said in advance of the broadcast.
Blade Runner's uncle: Pistorius 'numb with shock'
“We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva’s family and friends,” read a message on the show’s website. The reality program, which was filmed in Jamaica last year, is set to run for 10 episodes, with the eventual winner taking home the equivalent of just over $113,000. Saturday’s episode featuring Steenkamp was the premier of the fifth season of the reality show, which pits seven celebrities against seven other contests in a battle for the cash prize.
SABC said the show would be a tribute to the late model.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I'm sure they did this broadcast not as a tribute to this young lady but rather for the commercial revenue generated by abnormally high number of morbid viewers tuning in.
I agree that it is still about money, but what should they do? It probably cost them millions to film 10 episodes (crew pay, celeb pay, location fees and the winner's prize), so they should just "suck it up", and lose their investment? I know I could not afford to lose that much, regardless of the tragedy. It does help that the family is on board with the airing of the show.
Once again capitalism trumps propriety :(
Well once this guy gets to prison it will be easy access he does'nt have any legs to get in the way.
IMO, if he is guilty, they should cut off both his arms, and give him life without parole. You can't MAKE nobody want you. IMO, she dumped him, and he couldn't take it.
All men and women go through heartbreak, but the wimps and the weaklings, got to the "if I can't have you nobody else will".. They are the weaklings, coward, and low-lifes. I am sorry to sound so harsh, but this piece of so called man took a life, hurt many others on her side, and his side, simply because he couldn't take it.
It amazes me that people overcome huge obstacles in life and get complacent to piss it all away. This was a drunken rage with a gun and I doubt he remembers much. They should pull this show out of respect. Play it in a year or two when this is over if you must get your money back.....
IXLR8, I don't know where you got that BS excuse, but it ain't flying here. You say drunken rage, you doubt if he remembers anything? None of those excuses are even close to valid.
Took that girl's life because his manhood, and pride was hurting!! I hope they cut off his arms, and take those artificial legs away too. They should lock you up for coming that that BS rationalization too!!
TruthBT, I made an opinion just like your "manhood theory" so get your panties out of a wad. P.S. you are a nutcase, take your meds.......
Wow, he snuffed out this beautiful girl's life.
Note:
Prosecutors say pre-meditates, others say he snapped. I think people better sit on the side and watch instead of choosing sides.
From articles I've read, it appears that both of them are/were a bit over the deep end, "that is" lacking some reality sense!
DB Akron
Note:
Prosecutors say pre-meditates, others say he snapped. I think people better sit on the side and watch instead of choosing sides.
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I ain't buying that "snapped" part. Pre-meditate or he snapped and did it, is the same thing, pure de murder of a defenseless young woman. She can't speak for herself, she's gone. Yes, people need to set back and watch, I want to see the trail, him get his say in court, and a jury of his peers, say not guilty or guilty. If it is guilty, I hope they give him the max and some.
It is terrible that the program was aired. Nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt for the show how they could do this to her family. They had no respect or compassion for her family. Condolences to her family for their tragic loss.
If her dying words, were in fact "Let them air the show" then she really was Hollywood material.
can someone help me. I can't find the keyboard key that says I don't give a little rat's ass about this..
I think I can help, Warren. There's a little known trick called not posting in an article you care nothing about. I know it's hard, but I have faith that(though it may take years) eventually you'll get it. Keep trying. Eventually you may even learn not to even bother to read an article you "don't give a rat's ass about"
Warren, I found the keyboard key that says STFU for you, please use it right away!!
Dude, are you drunk or high playing on the computer?? Re-read all the crap you wrote in the morning.
This one is for dummies: is she dead or the show isn't a reality? (With other words how stupid are NBCs readers online?)
He killed her because his jealousy was eating him up with her notoriety gaining speed. Sooner or later she would have left him to tend to her career. Do not feel sorry for this clown. This despicable human being knew what he was doing when he pulled the trigger... twice.
Ratings and corporate sponsorship with the endorsements and commercials...the euro, the buck, yen all live on...
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ it's all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Don't you hate when relatives and friends of the murder suspect claim the couple where never happier and had plans to get married? Scum bags need to keep their mouths shut and let the courts do their jobs. Tainting the jury should be against the law. Of course you'd have to be stupid to believe anything they say. Why couldn't she have seen this guy was a nut? She should have just packed her bags or better yet just left everything and go the hell out of there, but don't do it on Valentines day or that night when you would no doubt piss him/her off so much she sorry he would want to kill you. Rather than gun education why don't we teach people about life and what not to do in order to survive?
I have been in this country for 18 years, I am from South Africa, and yes the crime rate is the worst. Before i left for good, I was using the Loo ( restroom) and lo and behold there was this complete stranger staring at me, I freaked out called the cops..only to find out that there was a serial intruder robbing all the flats, and our complex was highly secured. So dont judge until all the fact have been presented..Remember Innocent until proven Guilty.