The Unsettling True Story Behind 'Under The Bridge': Where The Killers Are Now In 2024

The tragic and brutal murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk in 1997 remains one of Canada’s most infamous true crime cases, a harrowing story of teenage violence, bullying, and systemic failure. The details of the case, which involved a large group of teenagers, shocked a nation and served as the foundation for Rebecca Godfrey’s acclaimed non-fiction book, Under the Bridge, which has seen a massive resurgence in interest with the release of the 2024 Hulu true-crime miniseries. This article dives deep into the facts of the case, the real people involved, and the most current updates on the convicted killers, including recent 2024 parole developments that continue to keep the story in the headlines.

The Hulu adaptation, while taking some dramatic liberties, has brought the painful events of Saanich, British Columbia, back into the public consciousness, forcing a renewed conversation about the culture of aggression among youth. As of this current date, the legal and personal aftermath for the perpetrators continues to unfold, underscoring the long shadow cast by the violence that occurred beneath the Craigflower Bridge over two decades ago.

The Central Figures: Reena Virk and Rebecca Godfrey Biography

The narrative of Under the Bridge is anchored by the life and death of the victim, Reena Virk, and the investigative perspective of author Rebecca Godfrey.

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Reena Virk (Victim)

• Born: March 10, 1983, in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada.
• Death: November 14, 1997 (Age 14).
• Background: Reena was an Indo-Canadian girl who lived in the quiet suburb of View Royal, near Victoria, BC. She often struggled to fit in with her peers and was a target of bullying, a tragic theme central to her story. Her family, including her parents Manjit and Suman Virk, were devout Jehovah’s Witnesses.
• Circumstances of Death: She was swarmed and beaten by a group of teenagers, known locally as the "Shoreline Six," and then followed, beaten again, and drowned by two other teens, Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, beneath the Craigflower Bridge.

Rebecca Godfrey (Author)

• Born: December 2, 1967, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
• Died: October 3, 2022 (Age 54), from lung cancer.
• Career: An award-winning Canadian novelist and journalist. Her first novel, The Torn Skirt, was a national bestseller.
• The Book: Under the Bridge: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk (2005) is a non-fiction work that explores the social environment and hidden world of the teenagers involved in the crime, providing a complex look at teen alienation and violence.
• Series Connection: Godfrey is a character in the 2024 Hulu miniseries, portrayed by Riley Keough, as she was actively researching the events in Saanich at the time of the murder.

The True Account of the 1997 Craigflower Bridge Murder

On the night of November 14, 1997, Reena Virk was invited to a party under the Craigflower Bridge, a known hangout spot for local teenagers in Saanich, BC. What started as a social gathering quickly devolved into a horrifying act of collective violence.

The Initial Swarming and Beating

The violence began with a confrontation over a rumor. Reena was surrounded by a group of seven teenagers, six girls and one boy, who became known as the "Shoreline Six" plus one other girl. She was subjected to a brutal, coordinated attack—punched, kicked, and burned with a cigarette. The initial assault left Reena injured and disoriented, but she managed to stagger away from the group.

The Final, Fatal Attack

Tragically, the attack did not end there. Two of the teenagers, 15-year-old Kelly Ellard and 16-year-old Warren Glowatski, followed Reena. They caught up to her, beat her a second time, and then dragged her, unconscious, into the water of the Gorge Waterway. The final cause of death was drowning. Reena’s body was discovered eight days later, washed up on the shore of the waterway.

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The Legal Aftermath and Current Status of the Killers (2024 Update)

The murder investigation and subsequent trials brought intense media scrutiny to the Canadian legal system and the issue of juvenile crime. Eight teenagers were charged in connection with the crime. The six girls involved in the initial beating were convicted of assault causing bodily harm and received sentences ranging from 60 days to one year in jail. The focus, however, remained on the two who committed the murder: Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard.

Warren Glowatski: Remorse and Full Parole

Warren Glowatski was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 and sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for seven years. His case is often cited as an example of successful rehabilitation within the Canadian penal system:

• Remorse: Glowatski showed consistent and profound remorse for his actions, taking responsibility for his role in Reena’s death.
• Reena’s Family: Crucially, he met with Reena’s parents, Manjit and Suman Virk, and apologized for the murder, a gesture that was accepted by the family and supported his parole applications.
• Current Status: Glowatski was granted full parole in 2010, having served 11 years. He has remained out of the public eye and is considered a rehabilitated individual, subject to standard parole conditions.

Kelly Ellard (Now Kerry Sim): Parole Revoked in 2024

Kelly Ellard's legal journey was far more contentious, marked by three separate trials due to appeals and a hung jury. She was eventually convicted of second-degree murder in 2005.

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• Incarceration: Ellard (who now goes by the name Kerry Sim) was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of seven years before parole eligibility.
• Parole History: She was granted day parole in 2017, which was extended multiple times. During her day parole, she gave birth to two children.
• Current Status (2024 Update): In a significant recent development, the Parole Board of Canada revoked her day parole in June 2024 after a review of her recent behavior and habits. She was arrested for breaching parole conditions, with the board citing an "undue risk to society" and concerns over her conduct, including associating with individuals who may be involved in criminal activity. She is currently back in full custody, serving her life sentence.

Fact vs. Fiction: The Hulu Series and the Book

The Hulu miniseries, which premiered in April 2024, has drawn millions of viewers, but it is important to remember the distinction between a true-crime drama and the factual record.

The Book’s Approach (Rebecca Godfrey)

Rebecca Godfrey’s book is a journalistic deep-dive into the subculture of the teenagers in the Victoria, BC, area. It is a work of literary non-fiction that seeks to understand the social dynamics, the alienation, and the underlying issues of teen violence and bullying that led to the murder.

Series Accuracy and Fictional Elements

The television series, while billed as a true-crime drama, includes a disclaimer that "Certain elements have been fictionalized."

• Fictional Character: The character of the police officer, Cam Bentland, is fictional, created to help drive the narrative and investigative elements of the show.
• The Author’s Role: The series significantly dramatizes author Rebecca Godfrey's on-the-ground investigation and her personal relationship with the teenagers, which is an element of dramatic license.
• The Shoreline Six: The series changes the names and details of the six girls involved in the initial assault, though their roles in the beating remain central to the plot.

While the dramatization brings the story to a wider audience, the core truth remains: Reena Virk was murdered by two of her peers in a brutal, senseless act of juvenile violence. The ongoing parole reviews and the 2024 breach by Kelly Ellard (Kerry Sim) serve as a stark reminder that for the Virk family and the community of Saanich, the story is far from over.