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Steenkamp's parents say they won't pursue civil claim against Oscar Pistorius

Associated Press
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Barry Steenkamp, left, the father of Reeva Steenkamp, cradles his head as Oscar Pistorius, blurred in foreground, attends court as the sentencing process enters a second day, Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday Oct. 14, 2014. Pistorius was being portrayed as a "poor victim" ahead of his sentencing for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, the chief prosecutor said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) (The Associated Press)

June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, and her husband Barry, left, accompanied by an unidentified woman arrive for the Oscar Pistorius mitigation of sentencing at the high court in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014. Pistorius faces sentencing this week in the South African court after being convicted of culpable homicide for killing girlfriend Reeva. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

June Steenkamp, foreground, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, and her husband Barry, left, arrive for the Oscar Pistorius mitigation of sentencing at the high court in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014. Pistorius faces sentencing this week in the South African court after being convicted of culpable homicide for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp say they will not pursue a civil claim against Oscar Pistorius for killing their daughter.

Barry and June Steenkamp said in a statement issued through their lawyer on Wednesday that they will also pay back monthly payments of $550 made to them by Pistorius from March 2013 to September this year.

The Steenkamps say they decided in the past few weeks not to pursue a civil settlement from Pistorius after his criminal trial ends.

Revelations over payments to the Steenkamps by the Olympic runner were made during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday. The chief prosecutor said the Steenkamps had refused another offer of $34,000 from Pistorius and considered it "blood money."

Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, in Steenkamp's shooting death.