No civil claim against Oscar Pistorius

South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius arrives at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria October 15, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

PRETORIA - 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.

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