Day Parole Revoked: The Shocking 2025 Status Of Kelly Ellard (Now Kerry Sim)

The legal saga surrounding Kelly Ellard, the Canadian woman convicted of the 1997 second-degree murder of Reena Virk, has taken a dramatic turn in the summer of 2025. After years of controversial day parole extensions, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) has officially revoked her release privileges, determining that she presents an undue risk to society. This decision, which follows a breach of conditions and a failed drug test, marks a significant setback in the life sentence of the woman who now goes by the name Kerry Sim. The ongoing public interest in the case, recently reignited by the Hulu/Disney+ limited series *Under the Bridge*, has kept a spotlight on Ellard’s controversial journey through the Canadian justice system. As of the current date, December 12, 2025, Ellard (Sim) is back in full custody, with the Parole Board citing a pattern of behaviour that violated the fundamental trust of her release agreement, forcing her return to a federal correctional facility.

Kelly Ellard (Kerry Sim) Biographical Profile and Conviction Details

Kelly Marie Ellard became one of Canada’s most notorious figures after her involvement in the savage 1997 murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk. The following profile outlines the key details of her life and conviction.

• Current Legal Name: Kerry Marie Sim (Name legally changed while incarcerated/on parole).
• Birth Year: Circa 1982 (She was 15 at the time of the 1997 crime).
• Crime Committed: Second-Degree Murder.
• Victim: Reena Virk (14 years old).
• Date of Crime: November 14, 1997.
• Location of Crime: Under the Craigflower Bridge in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada.
• Co-Conspirator: Warren Glowatski (also convicted of second-degree murder).
• Conviction Date: April 2005 (in her third trial).
• Sentence: Life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole for seven years.
• Current Status (July 2025): Day parole revoked by the Parole Board of Canada.
• Children: Has had two children while serving her life sentence.

The Brutal Murder of Reena Virk and the Three Trials

The crime that cemented Kelly Ellard’s place in Canadian criminal history was the brutal and senseless murder of Reena Virk. The events began with a "swarming" attack by a group of teenagers near the Shoreline Secondary School in Saanich. Virk, a South Asian girl, was initially beaten by a group of eight adolescents under the Craigflower Bridge. The initial beating was severe, but Reena Virk managed to stagger away. It was at this point that Kelly Ellard and her co-accused, Warren Glowatski, followed Virk. Evidence presented during the trials concluded that Ellard was the primary aggressor who continued the assault, ultimately leading to Virk’s drowning in the Gorge Waterway.

A Decade of Legal Battles

The case was highly controversial and involved a lengthy, complex legal process that required three separate trials to secure a conviction against Ellard.

The first trial resulted in a conviction, but it was overturned on appeal due to a legal technicality. The second trial ended in a mistrial when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Finally, in April 2005, Ellard was convicted of second-degree murder in her third trial, nearly eight years after the crime. This legal marathon highlighted the difficulties of prosecuting youth crime cases involving multiple witnesses and conflicting testimony.

In contrast, Warren Glowatski, who was 16 at the time of the murder, showed deep remorse, participated in restorative justice initiatives, and was granted full parole in 2010. Ellard, however, consistently denied her involvement in the drowning for years, a factor the Parole Board frequently cited as an obstacle to her full rehabilitation.

Parole Revocation and Current Status (July 2025)

Kelly Ellard’s path to conditional release was marked by both progress and controversy, culminating in the recent decision by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). She was first granted day parole in 2017, two decades after the murder, allowing her to live in a halfway house and work in the community. The PBC extended her day parole several times, including in 2019 to allow for overnight stays with her children. In March 2024, the board again extended her parole, noting her progress in managing her emotions and maintaining employment. However, this period of conditional freedom was fragile. In January 2025, Ellard was arrested by the Surrey Police Service (SPS) for an initial breach of her parole agreement. The situation escalated further in July 2025 when the Parole Board of Canada made the decision to revoke her day parole entirely, forcing her return to a federal prison.

The Reasons Behind the Revocation

The official documents released by the Parole Board of Canada cited specific reasons for the revocation of day parole for Kerry Sim (Kelly Ellard):

1. Breach of Conditions: Ellard violated a core condition of her release, which explicitly prohibited the use of illicit substances. The revocation was triggered by a failed drug test.
2. Risk to Public Safety: The board concluded that her recent behaviour and failure to adhere to the terms of her release meant she now presented an "undue risk to society."
3. Lack of Candour: Historically, the PBC has noted Ellard’s tendency to minimize her role in the murder and a lack of transparency, which undermines the trust required for parole. While she eventually admitted to the killing, her conduct while on parole indicated a continued struggle with accountability.

The revocation means that Ellard has lost the privilege of living outside of a federal institution and must reapply for day parole in the future. This decision underscores the strict oversight of Canada’s correctional service system for individuals convicted of serious violent offenses.

The Lasting Cultural Impact: Under the Bridge

The tragic case of Reena Virk and the subsequent trials of Kelly Ellard have had a profound and lasting impact on Canadian society, particularly concerning issues of bullying, youth violence, and the role of the justice system. The story received renewed international attention with the release of the 2024 limited series *Under the Bridge*, based on the true-crime book by author Rebecca Godfrey. The series, which starred Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone, brought the story to a new generation of viewers, prompting fresh scrutiny of the actions of the teenagers involved, including Ellard. The dramatization of the events under the Craigflower Bridge and the subsequent investigation served to remind the public of the devastating consequences of peer pressure and youth gang culture in the late 1990s. The enduring cultural narrative ensures that the name Kelly Ellard, now Kerry Sim, remains a potent symbol in discussions about crime, punishment, and rehabilitation in Canada.