June Steenkamp still is seeking answers as to how Oscar Pistorius could've shot and killed her daughter. But in explaining why she and her husband took money from Pistorius after Reeva Steenkamp's death, she left other questions unanswered.
According to the Daily Mirror, Pistorius paid June and Barry Steenkamp about £340 (about $536) each month beginning in March of 2013 and ending in September of 2014. The Steenkamps turned down a £21,000 ($33,146) lump sum from the double-amputee sprinter.
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June, 68, says that the couple had to accept what they called "blood money" from Pistorius after 71-year-old Barry suffered a stroke two months after Reeva's death and the couple was evicted from their home when their landlord discovered they had no money.
"We didn't have much choice," June told the Daily Mirror. "We were in such a bad way: we didn't even have food on the table. It was that or starve.
"I wasn't happy about it and it did make me uncomfortable. But we are going to pay back every single cent.
"That's how I look at it and live with it now."
There was no mention of whether June and Barry Steenkamp asked for financial help from any other family members. Reeva's cousin Kim was vocal at Pistorius' sentencing hearing, saying Reeva's death destroyed her family.
Did the Steenkamps indicate to extended family that they would be forced to accept Pistorius' money? Did their extended family refuse to help? None of those questions have been answered or asked publicly.
Also, a discrepancy exists in June Steenkamp's account if she is using Barry's stroke as an excuse if the couple started accepting money a month before his stroke.
A previous Daily Mirror story from July 1, 2013 indicated that the Steenkamps intended to sue Pistorius without revealing that they already were accepting payments from him.
"On the night she died, when she was on her way to Oscar's house, we talked about her sending us money to pay our cable television bill," June said at the time. "I was fretting because I thought I was going to miss her first TV appearance."
Do you think June and Barry Steenkamp had no other alternative to accept Oscar Pistorius' money after he shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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