Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, who killed teen Reena Virk in 1997, has been arrested following a breach of parole conditions, according to the Surrey Police Service (SPS).
SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald confirmed Sim — known as Kelly Ellard at the time of Virk’s murder in Victoria, B.C. — was arrested midday Tuesday in South Surrey on an outstanding Canada-wide warrant.
In March of last year, the parole board extended day parole for Sim, who is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. The decision described a 41-year-old struggling with children, single-parenting, the high cost of living and the consequences of her actions.
In November 1997, Sim and Warren Glowatski followed Virk, 14, across the Craigflower Bridge and dragged her into Victoria’s Gorge waterway, following a savage beating by a swarm of teens Virk thought were friends. Sim held the 14-year-old’s head underwater until she drowned.
The murder was the subject of a Hulu true-crime series, Under the Bridge, released last year.
The new Hulu series Under the Bridge is drawing renewed attention to the murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk in Victoria. CBC’s Jason Proctor, who covered the story of the killing when it happened in 1997, takes us through the latest court documents and reaction to the show from those involved.
On Friday, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) provided a written statement about Sim’s arrest.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Reena Virk at this time as we know the impact that this offender’s crimes still has on them and the community,” said CSCÂ spokesperson Lucinda Fraser.
“If there is a change in an offender’s behaviour or compliance with their conditions, CSC takes immediate action, which can include returning them to custody and/or reviewing their supervision strategy,” said Fraser.
“We can confirm that measures have been taken regarding this offender,” she said, without detailing what conditions Sim is alleged to have breached.
MacDonald said officers weren’t aware of the details of the breach.
According to 2024 parole documents, Sim was living in a community-based residential facility in the Lower Mainland, where she was struggling to cope with life on a limited budget and a lack of child-care options.Â
Sim gave birth to her first child after getting pregnant while in prison, but the parole board’s 2024 decision said she gave birth to a second child while on day parole.
In March last year, the terms of her release included prohibitions on consuming alcohol or drugs and not to have any contact with members of Virk’s family.
She was released on day parole in 2018 but had been hauled back in front of the parole board for domestic violence and a positive urine test for codeine. According to the parole documents, Sim was arrested in 2021 because of a deterioration in behaviour.
CSC declined to say whether Sim remains in custody following this week’s arrest.
