June Steenkamp, the mother of the late Reeva Steenkamp, has been given a devastating health diagnosis after her recent stroke.
This comes amid news that the man who murdered her daughter – Oscar Pistorius – is hoping to settle down with his new partner Rita Greyling, who bears a striking resemblance to the late model.
In 2013, Pistorius shot and killed Reeva after reportedly mistaking her for a home intruder. He was released on parole last year after serving half of his murder sentence.
REEVA STEENKAMP’S MOM SUFFERS HEARTBREAKING DIAGNOSIS
This week, the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation – an anti-gender-based violence charity in the model’s name – shared a heartbreaking health update about the late model’s mother.
In a social media post, the foundation shared that June had celebrated her 79th birthday after her stroke earlier this month.
The bittersweet celebration came amid news that June had been diagnosed with a degenerative disorder, Wernicke’s Aphasia, in a severe form. The disease affects a part of the brain that controls the ability to understand spoken and written language.
Images via Facebook: Reeva Steenkamp Foundation
The post read: “The aphasia has stripped away her defenses, allowing June’s warmth, her loving, friendly, and kind personality, to shine through.
“She cannot hide behind the facade she built over the years to protect herself from the cruelty and hurt caused by unkind and vicious criticism from some.
It added: “To many it may seem like a blessing in disguise. To us who were privileged to know the real June, it’s not. We miss you, June”.
FORGETTING MEMORIES OF DAUGHTER
Speaking to MailOnline last week, Reeva Steenkamp’s family attorney, Tania Koen, stated that June had shown signs of memory loss.
She said: “It’s as if she’s gone back to the person she was before Reeva died.
“She was always a warm and loving person. But now she smiles in a way she hasn’t smiled for so many years.”
A “family friend” also shared their concerns that June could forget all recollections of Reeva.
They told the publication: “It’s heartbreaking to think that she might not be able to remember what happened to Reeva”.