Hulu’s latest true crime miniseries, “Under the Bridge,” tells the tragic story of 14-year-old Reena Virk’s murder, exploring the investigation into her disappearance and the subsequent pursuit of justice for her killers. Based on Rebecca Godfrey’s nonfiction book of the same name, this series sheds light on one of Canada’s most shocking crimes.
Reena Virk, a Canadian teen born on March 10, 1983, in Saanich, British Columbia, faced relentless bullying from her peers due to her appearance, religion, weight, ethnicity, and race. Despite her struggles to fit in, Virk was ostracized by her classmates and falsely accused her father of molestation in an attempt to be placed in the provincial care system. However, her return home did not alleviate her difficulties.
On November 14, 1997, Virk attended a party near the Craigflower Bridge, where she was viciously attacked by a group of teenage girls, known as “The Shoreline Six.” Following the attack, she was followed by Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, who were accused of holding her head underwater, leading to her tragic death. Despite initial reluctance from authorities to investigate her disappearance, Virk’s body was found eight days later, revealing the extent of her injuries.
Warren Glowatski was convicted of second-degree murder and served time in prison, eventually being released on parole in 2010. Kelly Ellard, on the other hand, faced multiple trials before being convicted of Virk’s murder in 2005. Despite her imprisonment, Ellard was granted day parole in 2017, under strict conditions, including supervision and psychiatric treatment.
Parole, as outlined by the Canadian government, allows offenders like Ellard to finish their sentence in the community while under strict supervision. Day parole permits offenders to engage in community activities while still residing in a designated facility and meeting regularly with a Parole Officer.
The tragic story of Reena Virk’s murder and the pursuit of justice for her killers continues to captivate audiences on Hulu’s “Under the Bridge,” highlighting the importance of seeking accountability for heinous crimes.
