Oscar Pistorius shoots and kills my friend, Reeva Steenkamp

Reeva Steenkamp, a model, reality TV star, and law graduate, was shot and killed by her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius on Valentine's Day in 2013. While Steenkamp portrayed a glamorous image in men's magazines, those who knew her describe her as a private person with a small-town attitude. She was self-conscious and had aspirations to use her law degree in the future. Steenkamp was determined to have a successful career beyond modeling and had a passion for helping victims of domestic abuse. Steenkamp had plans with a friend to start a law firm to assist abused women after they finished university. Despite her modeling career, she always aimed to become a legal advocate by the age of 30. Before her relationship with Pistorius, she had reportedly been in an abusive relationship, while her friend, Kerry Smith, had experienced an abusive marriage. Smith believes that Steenkamp's need to protect others may have contributed to her relationship with Pistorius, who was insecure about his disability, despite his athletic achievements. Smith recalls that Steenkamp was mentally and possibly emotionally abused in her previous relationship. Steenkamp's involvement with Pistorius upset Smith because she knew that her friend was sometimes scared of him. Steenkamp had a successful career of her own and was not just riding on Pistorius' coat-tails. Steenkamp was a hardworking and dedicated individual. She had a work ethic and was always one of the first to arrive and last to leave at competitions and shoots. Despite her tragic death, her loved ones remember her as a beautiful person, not just because of her looks, but also because of her heart and mind. Steenkamp was determined to make a name for herself in the modeling industry and worked hard to achieve her goals. She underwent a transformation, changing her hair color and reinventing herself. Despite moments of sadness when speaking of her friend, Smith remains positive and remembers Steenkamp's resilience and ability to stay positive in difficult situations. Smith was shocked when she learned that Steenkamp was dating Pistorius because Steenkamp had been in a happy relationship with another man. Like many others, Smith questions the events leading up to the shooting. She believes that Steenkamp would not have remained silent and would have expressed her concerns about Pistorius if she felt unsafe. Smith just wants the truth to come out and for justice to be served. Smith still keeps the messages she and Steenkamp exchanged and reads them when she misses her friend. She recalls how Steenkamp adored children and is heartbroken that she will never have the opportunity to have her own. The pain of losing Steenkamp still lingers for Smith and many others who knew and loved her.