By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent, in Pretoria
Many in the courtroom were reduced to tears as they heard for the first time how Reeva Steenkamp's killing had devastated her family.
The cousin of the model and law graduate broke down as she recounted the moment when she heard of her death.
Kim Martin was on her way to work listening to the car radio when the news came on that "Oscar Pistorius has shot his girlfriend".
She said she sat bolt upright and cried to her husband: "I hope to God that Oscar's been cheating on her."
She couldn't bear to believe the news but when she saw her aunt (Reeva's mother), June, hysterical with grief, she knew it was true.
She said: "For me, it was the end of the world. We were all like, Why? Why? Why Reeva? It ruined our family."
Ms Martin went on to tell the judge that many members of her extended family were now on medication, receiving therapy and trauma counselling.
Her own daughter had to be placed in an institution for a short time to get professional help in coping with the loss.
For the first time during the many months of evidence in this trial, the court heard about Reeva, the person: how hard-working she was; how she got a bursary to study law; how she gave her parents her first cheque from modelling and regularly helped them financially; how she loved cats and valued family above all else.
Her cousin said the family were always strapped for cash but Reeva had never wanted for love.
Both her parents adored her and she got her hard-working ethic from them, she said.
She said the two cousins had formed an early bond, when at 12 years old, a young Kim was allowed to hold her first baby.
The newborn was her cousin Reeva and she appears to have loved her from that very special first moment.
Ms Martin's evidence is part of the state's attempt to secure the toughest sentence possible for the athlete.
In South Africa, there is no minimum sentence for a conviction of culpable homicide and two defence witnesses have suggested the double amputee runner be placed under house arrest and do community service.
The defence is arguing jail would not help in the runner's rehabilitation and he risks being gang-raped if imprisoned because he would be more vulnerable due to his disability.
Earlier, the Steenkamp family issued a statement saying they would be repaying the monthly payments they've been getting from the athlete since a few weeks after their daughter's death.
The statement - which was read out in court - confirmed they would be dropping a civil claim for compensation.
June Steenkamp has said she sees cash handouts from the athlete as "blood money".
Judge Masipa once again urged the legal teams to try to finish this sentencing hearing by Friday.
She has commitments for the next few weeks and if they cannot wrap up by the end of the week, the case looks set to be adjourned again until possibly mid-November.
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