About Kelly Ellard
Kelly Ellard is a Canadian woman who became infamous for her role in the 1997 murder of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl from Saanich, British Columbia.
At the time of the crime, Ellard was 15 years old and part of a group that assaulted Virk. After the initial attack, Ellard and another individual, Warren Glowatski, followed Virk to the Gorge Waterway, where Ellard held her underwater until she drowned. The case shocked Canada and drew widespread attention due to its brutality and the young ages of those involved.
NAME: Kerry Marie Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard
BORN: August 9, 1982
COUNTRY: Canada
VICTIMS: 1
ARREST: 1997 – At 15 years old
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS: 1x Second-degree murder, life in prison with no parole eligibility for 7 years
IMPRISONED AT: The minimum-security annex of the Fraser Valley Institution
WHERE IS Kelly Ellard NOW?
- April 2005 – Second-degree murder, life in prison with no parole eligibility for 7 years
Ellard has been on day parole since 2017 and was living in a halfway house in South Surrey, British Columbia while raising two children.In 2020 was granted extended privileges for overnight leave.
This means she was allowed to stay 5 nights at her home every week and 2 nights at a community residential facility.
Ellard had her first child while in prison and the second one on the day parole in 2020.
For a significant period, Ellard faced challenges as a single mother while the father of her children was incarcerated. Upon his release, he secured employment and started providing support for their children.
However, Ellard became a victim of intimate partner violence, which she did not report resulting in a breach of her parole conditions. Consequently, her day parole was temporarily revoked in 2021. Upon reinstatement, it was granted with the stipulation that she avoid any in-person contact with the father of her children unless supervised or with written approval from her parole officer.
Her parole was most recently extended in October 2024 for another six months because she has shown remorse for Reena Virk’s murder though acknowledged that she had faced challenges with substance use and anxiety in the past but had demonstrated compliance to her parole conditions.
Kelly Ellard, was arrested in South Surrey in January 2025, for breaching her parole conditions. A Canada-wide warrant had been issued for her before the arrest, though the specific conditions she violated have not been publicly disclosed, but her parole terms included staying away from alcohol, drugs, individuals involved in criminal activity and no contact with Virk’s family.
- Oct 2017: Was granted day parole
- Jan 30 2025: Was arrested in South Surrey for breaching her parole conditions
CRIMES COMMITTED
Kelly Ellard was first arrested for the 1997 murder of Reena Virk shortly after the crime took place. Virk was attacked and drowned on November 14, 1997, and Ellard, who was 15 at the time, was arrested within weeks as police investigated the brutal killing.
CAPTURE & INVESTIGATION
The investigation into Reena Virk’s murder began shortly after she was reported missing by her parents in November, 1997, in Saanich, British Columbia. Virk, a 14-year-old girl, was last seen at a gathering near the Craigflower Bridge on November 14, where she was attacked by a group of teenagers.
Eight days later, on November 22, 1997, police discovered her body floating in the Gorge Waterway.
An autopsy confirmed she had drowned but also suffered severe head injuries from a brutal beating.
Reena was lured to the bridge by a group of teenagers, including Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski.
She was swarmed and brutally beaten by the group, suffering significant injuries.
After the initial attack, Reena managed to walk away, but Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski followed her and continued the assault. Ellard held Virk’s head underwater until she stopped moving.
Witnesses informed investigators that Virk had been attacked by a group of seven teenage girls and one boy.
Within days, police arrested eight teens involved in the initial attack. They were charged with assault, while Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski were charged with second-degree murder.
TRIAL & CONVICTIONS
Kelly Ellard faced multiple trials before her final conviction for the 1997 murder of Reena Virk. Here is a breakdown of her legal proceedings:
First Trial (2000) – Ellard was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after five years. However, her conviction was overturned on appeal due to errors in the trial process.
Second Trial (2004) – The case was retried, however resulted in mistrial.
Third Trial (2005) – In her third trial, she was once again found guilty of second-degree murder. This time, her conviction was upheld. She was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after seven years.
Appeal to the Supreme Court (2009) – Ellard attempted to appeal her conviction to the Supreme Court of Canada, but her appeal was dismissed, making her conviction final.
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REFERENCES / CITATIONS:
1. ScreenRant: What Happened To Kelly Ellard In Real Life After Under The Bridge – Sep 6, 2024
2. Esquire: Under the Bridge: Where Is Kelly Ellard Now? – May 23, 2024
3. Global News: Killer Kelly Ellard arrested for breaching parole conditions: reports – Jan 30, 2025
4. Today.com: Where is Kelly Ellard, one of Reena Virk’s killers, now? – Apr 24, 2024
5. Vancouver City News: B.C. killer Kelly Ellard arrested after breaching release conditions – Jan 31, 2025
BOOKS ABOUT Kelly Ellard
Under the Bridge: Now a Major TV Series Starring Oscar Nominee Lily Gladstone
One moonlit night, fourteen-year-old Reena Virk went to join friends at a party and never returned home…
Kids who Kill: Kelly Ellard & Warren Glowatski
Bullied all her life, Reena Virk, just fourteen, is desperate for peer acceptance. However, she is the wrong race, the wrong religion, the wrong color…
TV SHOWS & DOCS FEATURING Kelly Ellard
Under the Bridge
Fourteen-year-old Reena Virk went to join friends at a party and never returned home. Seven teenage girls and a boy were accused of the savage murder.
TV Mini Series / Fictional | 2024 | 1 Season – 8 Episodes
HULU
MORE ARTICLES ABOUT Kelly Ellard
A selection of interesting articles about Kelly Ellard, sourced and curated from around the web:
Killer Kelly Ellard arrested for breaching parole conditions: reports
Global News | Author: Amy Judd | Jan 30, 2025
Convicted teen killer Kelly Ellard seeking day parole today
CBC News | Author: Jane Armstrong | 3 May 2016
Killer Kelly Ellard gets pregnant while serving a life sentence
Vancouver Sun | Author: Kim Bolan | 24 Oct 2017
