Mother of Pistorius' slain girlfriend: 'Why my little girl?'

Frennie Shivambu / JustusMedia via Reuters

South African "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, right, smiles with his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Nov. 4. Steenkamp is dead, Pistorius is being charged with her murder and the woman's mother wants answers.

The mother of Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot to death Thursday in the home of Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, vented her grief and frustration to a South African newspaper.

The interview, conducted by telephone Sunday and reported Monday by The Times of Johannesburg, appears to be June Steenkamp's first since her daughter's death at Pistorius' home in the gated Silver Woods Luxury Estate outside Pretoria.

"Why? Why my little girl?" she asked. "Why did this happen? Why did he do this? What for?"


Pistorius, 26, has been in custody since the shooting and is to be formally charged in a court appearance Tuesday with the murder of Steenkamp, a 29-year-old law graduate, model and actress who had gained global attention with her blond good looks and bubbly personality.

He has strongly denied allegations that he murdered his girlfriend.

NBC News' full coverage of the Oscar Pistorius case

June Steenkamp told The Times that she and her family are left searching for logic in a time of grief and shock.

"All we have is this horrendous death to deal with ... to get to grips with," she said. "All we want are answers ... answers as to why this had to happen, why our beautiful daughter had to die like this."

Reeva Steenkamp was recently featured in the new season of a reality show, "Tropika Island of Treasure"; had done promotional work for international brands including Toyota; and was on the December 2011 cover of FHM magazine, which named her one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World" two years in a row.


"She had so much of herself to give and now all of it is gone," June Steenkamp said. "Just like that, she is gone. … In the blink of an eye and a single breath, the most beautiful person who ever lived is no longer here."

Mike Steenkamp, whom The Times identified as a family spokesman, said the Steenkamps were trying to simply make it through the funeral, which like Pistorius' court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.

"For now, we are just focusing on … getting this part of the difficult journey behind us," he told The Times.

"We're trying not to think about Oscar or the court appearance," he added. "We have deliberately not watched TV or listened to the radio. We just don't want to think about it. We want to blank it all out and focus for now on the here and now."

Watch World News videos on NBCNews.com

Discuss this post

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3

O is the most hated POS half of a man in the WORLD. ROT IN JAIL BURN IN HELL.

    Reply#28 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 5:54 PM EST

    I'm not the type to party with drugs and/or alcohol,

    but I can empathize with those that do. If someone commits a crime

    while they are wasted it's still a crime, but it might not have been intentional.

    Of course, everyone feels sorry for the victim here and her family. But, I think it's ok

    to feel sorry for Oscar too. I'm glad a pastor went to pray with him. Yes, Oscar ended

    Reeva's life, but he also ruined his own. Like Adele sings, "we could have had it

    all." In a way they already did. I think it shows the danger of anger, guns, and

    mind-altering substances. I hope it's a lesson that helps someone else.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#29 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 5:55 PM EST

    Hope the OJ jury will stay away. If bail is posted he should be considered a run threat!!

      Reply#30 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:02 PM EST

      "The most beautiful person that ever lived is gone". Bizarre thing to say.

        Reply#31 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:02 PM EST

        in context, the most beautiful person to her that ever lived is gone.

        That's not what she said, or ever what she meant, but given her state

        of mind, I can see her saying that.

        • 1 vote
        #31.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:10 PM EST

        Why is it bizarre? At times, I hear men saying they married the most beautiful woman in the world, and parents who say their kid is the smartest/most talented in the world. Why is it so strange that she was seen as such a beautiful being by her own mother? She loved her daughter, it's only natural for her to see her daughter in such a positive light.

        • 3 votes
        #31.2 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:20 PM EST
        Reply

        Let me tell you a story! She was sick of lifting up the sheets and seeing a couple of stubs. Her career was taking off now and really had no more use for the poor bastard.She used him and now had more aspiring contacts thru knowing him.Well hun I think I am going too leave you! The grass is greener ! God bless the gold diggin Whore! Goodnight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          Reply#32 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:13 PM EST

          You would know because you where there. What a moron.

          • 4 votes
          #32.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:16 PM EST

          You are an idiot, Dude-2345801

          • 4 votes
          #32.2 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:45 PM EST

          Part of what you are saying may be a variable in this played out story. Let's move on to the next head line of another poor bastard pushed to the edge.

            #32.3 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:02 PM EST

            90% of the prison system is full of poor bastards pushed too the limit from daddys little girl! HA! Ha! Ha! I do not expect a woman to admit their secret to their success! Dig into any famous womans past and there lies the poor bastard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

              #32.4 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:22 PM EST

              They just push push push, what do they expect? Everybody blames this guy for flipping out. They show pictures of this beautiful smiling woman. I wish they could find a picture of how she looked when she was ripping him a new @!$%#!!

                #32.5 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:29 PM EST

                Cite your sources for the statistics Dude.

                  #32.6 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:35 PM EST

                  Dude .. You are an Idiot. A Mother asks a few questions and this is what you comment back on them ? seriously if it were you who died and your mother asked these same questions would you want her to come back and see this posting ? wow what a world we live in. grow up is about all i can say to you because I won't lower my self to your level to say something so mean.. not even to my worst enemy!

                  • 1 vote
                  #32.7 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:09 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Mother of God!!!!! This is about a mothers pain and you come up with these remarks that she may one day read? You call him an animal, he was, re read your remarks. Your no better. Try to think of the family and not your little day in the sun via the internet.

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#33 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:15 PM EST

                  but you did the same thing by calling Oscar an animal.You're no better.

                  • 1 vote
                  #33.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:01 PM EST
                  Reply

                  I just don't understand what has happened to our society. I watch TV everyday and it's more and more killings everyday. We must get back to the old fashion ways trust God and have values. God bless all these people that are losing their lives because of hate, jealousy, and the attack by satan in their lives. My heart goes out for all the people and their families.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#34 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:28 PM EST

                  Amen Wanda! I Don't write the rules,just know the hideous game very well!

                    #34.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:32 PM EST

                    Blaming "satan" is just another way we try to avoid taking responsibility for what we do.

                      #34.2 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:03 PM EST
                      Reply

                      Couldn't he have picked another day besides Valentine's to bash in his girlfriend's skull and shoot her several times? A new CBS-Gallup poll found that 70 percent of Americans consider it a not very romantic thing to do.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#35 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:42 PM EST

                      The gorgeous gals often go for the muscle-bound dudes...

                        Reply#36 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:47 PM EST

                        What a sad story. The girl is dead and he is going to spend most of his life rusting in jail.

                          Reply#37 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:49 PM EST

                          Maybe the defense can gain some leniency by blaming steroids?

                            Reply#38 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:51 PM EST

                            I am so sorry for everyone involved. It is me or do these type of crazy stories seem to be happening by the truckloads? I have never seen so much murder & suicide as of late, is the zombie phenomenon happening?

                              Reply#39 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:55 PM EST

                              Women need more information about the telling signs of psychopathy and when to leave a relationship. I wonder if there is a way to tell. This was one very unbalanced individual.

                                Reply#40 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:56 PM EST

                                It's a waste and a shame. free him into the congo region and see how far he gets without his roids and his bouncy springs.

                                  Reply#41 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:02 PM EST

                                  "Why my little girl?"

                                  Because evil people are very effective in taking advantage of good people. Because good people are willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt, and when that person is evil he pumps four bullets into your innocent daughter's body.

                                  Because evil people are evil and they seek out innocents to abuse and use as objects.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  Reply#42 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:07 PM EST

                                  I don't mean to come across as cold-hearted, but high profile relationships aren't always what they're cracked up to be. Both parties often feel like they have to be the "dominant personality" in the relationship, that THEIR career comes first. When I look at people like this, and their fame, their money, and how a lot of their lives are lived, I'm glad to be a relative nobody. Too many "celebrities" live horrible lives. I genuinely would NOT want to be them.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  Reply#43 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:08 PM EST

                                  Somewhere between starting the physical abuse of Reeva with the cricket bat, and finishing with a gun, Oscar knew his life was over as he had known it to be. I've felt, and still do, it's the AVAILABILITY of guns that turns an argument into a homicide, but in this case he had already done irreversible harm to her and himself by using the bat. He would no doubt pay any amount of money to have those four bullets back.

                                    Reply#44 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:26 PM EST

                                    If he hadn't shot her...he would have just bludgeoned her to death.... different weapon....same result

                                      #44.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:05 PM EST
                                      Reply

                                      my only child died, my 19 yr old son, died from an overdose of Oxy the book of Job tells us not to ask why 'cause we couldn't understand anyway, and it offends GOD to question him. I prayed that id never get over the pain 'cause it would make me remember him daily. Hang in there. it's been 10 years and I can now think of him without freaking out. call me a fanatic or whatever But I'm here to tell you, there is good in all things. GOD will carry you through this. My heart goes out for you and myself and thousands will pray for you. GOD bless.

                                      • 5 votes
                                      Reply#45 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:34 PM EST

                                      God bless You Ronnie.. He is your guardian angel now watching down over you and every sunrise you see is his smile telling you he is ok and there with you ..

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #45.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:16 PM EST

                                      Ronnie,

                                      You are the very example that when God tells us that he will never give to us any challenge that we cannot handle. Know that our Father and your son look down upon you and are SO very pleased in the growth that you have come to understand that it is not about you nor your son, but what you have learned that you have seen that the responsibility you willingly take upon yourself in showing others that have lost so painfully that there is a tomorrow, and that as they find one second at a time they too will find tomorrow and that their is a purpose in all things no matter how painful our losses are. God bless you, Ronnie, your Savior will wipe away all that pain you have found a way through, and you will see your son again.

                                        #45.2 - Tue Feb 19, 2013 12:03 AM EST

                                        Ronnie,

                                        You are the very example that when God tells us that he will never give to us any challenge that we cannot handle. Know that both our Father and your son look down upon you and are so very pleased in the growth that you have come to understand that it is not about you nor your son, but what you have learned that you have seen that the responsibility you willingly take upon yourself in showing others that have lost so painfully that there is a tomorrow, and that as they find one second at a time they too will find tomorrow and that their is a purpose in all things no matter how painful our losses are. God bless you, Ronnie, your Savior will wipe away all that pain you have found a way through, and you will see your son again.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #45.3 - Tue Feb 19, 2013 12:08 AM EST
                                        Reply

                                        He done it because she done him wrong.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        Reply#46 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:43 PM EST

                                        God Bless you Ronnie you have it right in my and God's eyes.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        Reply#47 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:48 PM EST

                                        horribly another person I must live doing good fo r sure they would do better than I otherwise if situation reversed saving the world I was suppose to be Adam, turning eve down so no one would have done wrong

                                          Reply#48 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:51 PM EST

                                          I feel bad for him, he's going to jail during his peek. Maybe they can divert his sentence to a later date, it's only fair, and also good for the sport.

                                            Reply#49 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:05 PM EST

                                            why cause they did that for OJ? lulz

                                              #49.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:09 PM EST

                                              @Art D.-4117570 If he murdered this girl, he needs to go away...permanently... but will only serve 25 years at most. I'm sure he will keep in shape by running from bubba....

                                                #49.2 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:54 PM EST
                                                Reply

                                                And Lance Armstrong was innocent until.......

                                                  Reply#50 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:10 PM EST

                                                  Many ask why she would stay in an abusive situation if indeed that's what it was. I can't believe the crap the media posts so it's hard to tell. I think in some ways the need for acceptance from someone stems from our childhood. It's only natural for a daughter to seek acceptance from her father as it may give her that first sense of self worth and value from a man whom she values and trusts. Some women grow up and find that sense of self worth and value comes from within themselves and they don't require the acceptance from a man to feel it. Some may never get over that need for acceptance from a man. Unfortunately, in an abusive relationship that need becomes constant because there is the continual rejection in some form or another. That continues to fuel the need to understand why they are treated poorly and drives them to seek acceptance or love even at the cost of their own safety. If abuse was involved, it's a tragedy and a shame that a man in the position of power in a relationship could not use that power to help a both beautiful and vulnerable woman overcome her weakness. We all have the power to create and destroy; some fail to realize the power they have to make the world or someones life better.

                                                    Reply#51 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:30 PM EST

                                                    This man was a devil in disguise of good for mankind to believe in him when he is a bastard that deserves the death penalty.

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    Reply#52 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:35 PM EST
                                                    Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3
                                                    You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
                                                    As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.