Oscar Pistorius mourns for Reeva Steenkamp on first anniversary of day he killed her

South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who became a murder suspect, said Friday that he is consumed by grief on the first anniversary of the day that he fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home.

The rare statement by the double-amputee runner came ahead of the March 3 start of his trial for the killing of Reeva Steenkamp, shot in Oscar Pistorius’ bathroom in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine’s Day.

“No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved – and continues to love Reeva,” said Oscar Pistorius, who told a court last year that he mistook Reeva Steenkamp for a dangerous nighttime intruder.

Prosecutors allege Oscar Pistorius, 27, who is out on bail, intentionally killed Reeva Steenkamp after an argument.

“The pain and sadness – especially for Reeva’s parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow,” Oscar Pistorius said.

“The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

The statement from Oscar Pistorius was unusual because his uncle, Arnold, has normally been quoted in statements from his camp, which has sought to shield the runner from intense media and public interest in a case that transfixed many people around the world.

Reeva Steenkamp’s mother, June, plans to attend the trial in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria. No members of Reeva Steenkamp’s immediate family have attended any of Oscar Pistorius’ previous court dates.

Oscar Pistorius also faces other firearms-related charges.

Oscar Pistorius was the first double-amputee to run at the world championships and the Olympics. He faces a possible life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison before the chance of parole if he is convicted of premeditated murder in Reeva Steenkamp’s killing.