Oscar Pistorius released from prison on parole, South Africa's corrections department says

Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was released from prison on parole early Friday morning and was believed to be at his uncle's mansion after authorities secretly moved him at an undisclosed time to avoid the news crews waiting outside the jail.

South Africa's Department of Corrections announced in a two-sentence statement at around 8:30 a.m. local time that Pistorius, the world-famous double-amputee athlete who killed his girlfriend, had been released and was "now at home." It gave no more details other than to confirm Pistorius's new status as "a parolee."

Pistorius, 37, served nearly nine years of his murder sentence of 13 years and five months for the fatal shooting of model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013. He became eligible for early release from prison having served at least half his sentence and was approved for parole in November.

Department of Corrections spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told The Associated Press that Pistorius was processed according to procedure: taken from the Atteridgeville Correctional Center prison in the South African capital, Pretoria, to a parole office before being released to his family. Nxumalo declined to say what time Pistorius was released and where he was.

"I can only tell you he was released this morning," Nxumalo said.

Pistorius was expected to initially live at his uncle's home in an upscale Pretoria suburb after his release. A police van was outside that house and a police officer was seen coming out later Friday. The officer declined to comment to reporters. Three black private security vehicles were also parked in front of the mansion.

The Department of Corrections said ahead of Pistorius's release that it would not publicize his parole time and he was