South African Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius, accused of killing his murdering Reeva Steenkamp, is “on the verge of suicide,” a close family friend said.
The athlete is a “broken man” after rising legal costs forced him to sell his belongings, Mike Azzie claims, noting that Pistorius denies it was murder.
His lawyers, meanwhile, have filed appeal to ease his bail restrictions.
Pistorius, who will be placed on trial for shooting his model girlfriend at his home last month, was freed on bail February 22. His trial will commence in June.
Azzie, who has known the double amputee – a national hero and global inspiration before the tragedy – since childhood, fears for his mental and emotional state.
He said Pistorius is selling his belongings to cover astronomical legal fees.
He frequently talks about Reeva Steenkamp and her family, Azzie says.
“He has no confidence in his tone of voice and he is almost like someone that is walking around in circles and doesn’t know where he is going,” Azzie said.
“I would say that, just speaking to him, he is a broken man. I would go as far as to say that he could be on the verge of suicide. It really worries me.”
“He just always seems to mention Reeva and asks us to pray for her and her family, and [we] are there for him and we will always be his friend.”
Steenkamp, 29, died after the star fired multiple shots into the bathroom of his apartment in a gated community in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day.
Pistorius claims he thought she was an intruder when he killed her.