Kelly Ellard
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B.C. teen Reena Virk's killer Kelly Ellard has day parole extended
Canadian Press
Published:
October 30, 2018
Updated:
October 30, 2018 10:05 PM EDT
Kelly Ellard.Nick Procaylo / Postmedia File Photo
VANCOUVER — A British Columbia woman who brutally beat and drowned 14-year-old Reena Virk near a Victoria-area bridge in 1997 has been granted an extension to her day parole.
Kelly Ellard, 35, was convicted of second-degree murder in 2005 after three trials and received a life sentence. The Parole Board of Canada granted her conditional day parole last November.
The board extended her day parole for another six months in late July, but the decision was only provided to media on Tuesday. It says Ellard successfully completed residential substance abuse treatment and now lives in a halfway house.
“Despite your positive and encouraging commitment to change, the board remains mindful of the seriousness of the index offence,” the board members say in the decision.
“You and others caused a horrific and senseless death that was disturbing due to the nature and level of gratuitous violence. The victim’s family must live with the consequences of your behaviour.”
A court heard Ellard, then 15, and several other teens swarmed and beat Virk, with one attacker putting out a cigarette on her forehead. Ellard and a teenage boy followed Virk across the bridge, smashed her head into a tree and held her underwater until she drowned.
Warren Glowatski was also convicted of second-degree murder and granted full parole in 2010.
In recent years, Ellard has assumed more responsibility for her part in the murder, telling the parole board she rolled Virk’s unconscious body into the Gorge waterway. But she has continued to deny holding the girl’s head underwater.
The board’s decision says Ellard now goes by the name Kerry Marie Sim.
It says she has been open and transparent with her case management team, has managed her daily stress well and has not breached her conditions.
Ellard became pregnant in 2016 during a conjugal visit with her boyfriend, who is also on parole, and the decision says she’s working with his case management team and social services to facilitate the care of their child. It does not say where the little boy lives.
“You are very focused on your young child’s life,” the board members say in the decision. “It would appear that having a child has helped you focus on the important things in life and as a result your motivation to lead a crime free existence remains high.”
The board would expect Ellard, as a new parent, to have a significantly greater understanding of the lifelong harm she has caused, the members add.
“While the board recognizes your progress, your reintegration must continue in a slow and gradual process with substantial support and supervision,” board members say.
“The board concludes caution is warranted and a longer period of compliance and transparency is required prior to consideration for any expanded form of leave.”
Ellard must continue to comply with conditions including not drinking alcohol or using drugs, avoiding people involved in criminal activity and not contacting Virk’s family.
Virk’s mother, Suman Virk, died in June at 58 years old. Premier John Horgan offered his condolences at the time, saying her “tireless” work to end bullying helped make life better for countless kids in B.C.
Last year, about 200 people gathered outside a historic school that overlooks the beach near where the teen was killed to mark the 20-year anniversary of her death.
http://torontosun.com/news/crime/b-c-teen-reena-virks-killer-kelly-ellard-has-day-parole-extended
Canadian Press
Published:
October 30, 2018
Updated:
October 30, 2018 10:05 PM EDT
Kelly Ellard.Nick Procaylo / Postmedia File Photo
VANCOUVER — A British Columbia woman who brutally beat and drowned 14-year-old Reena Virk near a Victoria-area bridge in 1997 has been granted an extension to her day parole.
Kelly Ellard, 35, was convicted of second-degree murder in 2005 after three trials and received a life sentence. The Parole Board of Canada granted her conditional day parole last November.
The board extended her day parole for another six months in late July, but the decision was only provided to media on Tuesday. It says Ellard successfully completed residential substance abuse treatment and now lives in a halfway house.
“Despite your positive and encouraging commitment to change, the board remains mindful of the seriousness of the index offence,” the board members say in the decision.
“You and others caused a horrific and senseless death that was disturbing due to the nature and level of gratuitous violence. The victim’s family must live with the consequences of your behaviour.”
A court heard Ellard, then 15, and several other teens swarmed and beat Virk, with one attacker putting out a cigarette on her forehead. Ellard and a teenage boy followed Virk across the bridge, smashed her head into a tree and held her underwater until she drowned.
Warren Glowatski was also convicted of second-degree murder and granted full parole in 2010.
In recent years, Ellard has assumed more responsibility for her part in the murder, telling the parole board she rolled Virk’s unconscious body into the Gorge waterway. But she has continued to deny holding the girl’s head underwater.
The board’s decision says Ellard now goes by the name Kerry Marie Sim.
It says she has been open and transparent with her case management team, has managed her daily stress well and has not breached her conditions.
Ellard became pregnant in 2016 during a conjugal visit with her boyfriend, who is also on parole, and the decision says she’s working with his case management team and social services to facilitate the care of their child. It does not say where the little boy lives.
“You are very focused on your young child’s life,” the board members say in the decision. “It would appear that having a child has helped you focus on the important things in life and as a result your motivation to lead a crime free existence remains high.”
The board would expect Ellard, as a new parent, to have a significantly greater understanding of the lifelong harm she has caused, the members add.
“While the board recognizes your progress, your reintegration must continue in a slow and gradual process with substantial support and supervision,” board members say.
“The board concludes caution is warranted and a longer period of compliance and transparency is required prior to consideration for any expanded form of leave.”
Ellard must continue to comply with conditions including not drinking alcohol or using drugs, avoiding people involved in criminal activity and not contacting Virk’s family.
Virk’s mother, Suman Virk, died in June at 58 years old. Premier John Horgan offered his condolences at the time, saying her “tireless” work to end bullying helped make life better for countless kids in B.C.
Last year, about 200 people gathered outside a historic school that overlooks the beach near where the teen was killed to mark the 20-year anniversary of her death.
http://torontosun.com/news/crime/b-c-teen-reena-virks-killer-kelly-ellard-has-day-parole-extended
Parole documents reveal B.C. teen’s killer thinks TV show about crime ’disrespectful’
Documents released by the Parole Board of Canada say Reena Virk's killer demonstrated "remorse and victim empathy" after discussing the TV show about the high-profile 1997 murder.
Author of the article:The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Darryl Greer
Published Apr 24, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
The Parole Board of Canada has granted overnight leaves and extended day parole for a British Columbia woman convicted in the 1997 swarming and murder of Victoria teenager Reena Virk.
The Parole Board of Canada has granted overnight leaves and extended day parole for a British Columbia woman convicted in the 1997 swarming and murder of Victoria teenager Reena Virk.
Reena Virk’s killer told parole officials that a television series about the Victoria teen’s murder is “disrespectful” and will “re-victimize” Virk’s family.
Documents released by the Parole Board of Canada on Wednesday say that Virk’s killer, Kelly Ellard — who changed her name to Kerry Sim — demonstrated “remorse and victim empathy” after discussing the TV show about the high-profile 1997 murder with her case managers.
The parole board decision said Sim, who was 15 at the time of the murder, admitted to playing a “greater role” in Virk’s death, and believes it was “so horrendous” that the television show, “Under the Bridge,” will “re-victimize the victim’s family.”
“You recently also demonstrated some remorse and victim empathy after a discussion about an upcoming television series based on your crimes. You said the series is disrespectful to the victim and her family,” the decision says.
Sim is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder of Virk, who was 14.
Virk had already been badly beaten by a group of teenagers under the Craigflower Bridge before Sim drowned her in the nearby Gorge waterway.
The miniseries “Under the Bridge,” released this month on the American streaming service Hulu, is based on a 2005 book of the same name by author Rebecca Godfrey.
The series is set to be released in Canada on Disney+ next month, and promotional materials for the show say, “the series takes us into the hidden world of the young girls accused of the murder — revealing startling truths about the unlikely killer.”
The parole board found that Sim is striving to have a “pro-social life,” raising her two children as a single mother after splitting with their father.
“Recently, you have also expressed frustration and anxiety about your situation and often blamed your inability to move forward on the requirement to reside at the (community based residential facility), the high cost of living, parenting struggles as a single mother, and your ex-spouse abandoning you and your children,” the board found.
The board’s decision to continue her day parole said Sim has improved her ability to manage stress and maintained her sobriety, finding that her release will “contribute to the protection of society by facilitating (her) reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.”
“In making a decision in your case, the board remains acutely aware you destroyed the lives of the victim’s family by violently killing their young daughter,” the decision says.
“The board has considered that you have since spent much of your life in prison and under community supervision. During this time, you have struggled at various points but have continued to make incremental improvements in your ability to manage your risk.”
torontosun.com
Documents released by the Parole Board of Canada say Reena Virk's killer demonstrated "remorse and victim empathy" after discussing the TV show about the high-profile 1997 murder.
Author of the article:The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Darryl Greer
Published Apr 24, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
The Parole Board of Canada has granted overnight leaves and extended day parole for a British Columbia woman convicted in the 1997 swarming and murder of Victoria teenager Reena Virk.
The Parole Board of Canada has granted overnight leaves and extended day parole for a British Columbia woman convicted in the 1997 swarming and murder of Victoria teenager Reena Virk.
Reena Virk’s killer told parole officials that a television series about the Victoria teen’s murder is “disrespectful” and will “re-victimize” Virk’s family.
Documents released by the Parole Board of Canada on Wednesday say that Virk’s killer, Kelly Ellard — who changed her name to Kerry Sim — demonstrated “remorse and victim empathy” after discussing the TV show about the high-profile 1997 murder with her case managers.
The parole board decision said Sim, who was 15 at the time of the murder, admitted to playing a “greater role” in Virk’s death, and believes it was “so horrendous” that the television show, “Under the Bridge,” will “re-victimize the victim’s family.”
“You recently also demonstrated some remorse and victim empathy after a discussion about an upcoming television series based on your crimes. You said the series is disrespectful to the victim and her family,” the decision says.
Sim is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder of Virk, who was 14.
Virk had already been badly beaten by a group of teenagers under the Craigflower Bridge before Sim drowned her in the nearby Gorge waterway.
The miniseries “Under the Bridge,” released this month on the American streaming service Hulu, is based on a 2005 book of the same name by author Rebecca Godfrey.
The series is set to be released in Canada on Disney+ next month, and promotional materials for the show say, “the series takes us into the hidden world of the young girls accused of the murder — revealing startling truths about the unlikely killer.”
The parole board found that Sim is striving to have a “pro-social life,” raising her two children as a single mother after splitting with their father.
“Recently, you have also expressed frustration and anxiety about your situation and often blamed your inability to move forward on the requirement to reside at the (community based residential facility), the high cost of living, parenting struggles as a single mother, and your ex-spouse abandoning you and your children,” the board found.
The board’s decision to continue her day parole said Sim has improved her ability to manage stress and maintained her sobriety, finding that her release will “contribute to the protection of society by facilitating (her) reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.”
“In making a decision in your case, the board remains acutely aware you destroyed the lives of the victim’s family by violently killing their young daughter,” the decision says.
“The board has considered that you have since spent much of your life in prison and under community supervision. During this time, you have struggled at various points but have continued to make incremental improvements in your ability to manage your risk.”
Parole documents reveal B.C. teen’s killer thinks TV show about crime ’disrespectful’
The documents say Reena Virk's killer demonstrated "remorse and victim empathy" after discussing TV show about the high-profile 1997 murder
Woman who killed B.C. teen Reena Virk in 1997 has parole revoked over drug use
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, then 15 years old, was among those who beat Virk and later drowned her
Author of the article:Stephanie Ip
Published Jul 14, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 2 minute read
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has had her day parole revoked after she breached release conditions.
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has had her day parole revoked after she breached release conditions.
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has had her day parole revoked after she breached release conditions.
According to a decision issued last month and shared with Postmedia News this week, the Parole Board of Canada cited Sim’s refusal to participate in drug tests, her eventual positive test result after using drugs belonging to another prisoner and unco-operative behaviour as being factors in her parole being revoked.
“Despite the time you have had for self-reflection since returning to custody, the Board finds you continue to engage in behaviours and thinking that contributed to your suspension and are related to your risk to reoffend.
“Consequently, the Board concludes that you will, by reoffending before the expiration of your sentence, present an undue risk to society. Therefore, the Board revokes your day parole.”
In 1997, Victoria teen Reena Virk was lured to a party where she was swarmed and violently assaulted. Sim, then 15 years old, was among those who beat Virk and later drowned her.
In 2005, Sim began serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. She was granted day parole in 2017 and released to a community facility in 2018.
At the start of 2020, she was granted extended leave privileges along with a number of conditions such as not to consume alcohol or drugs, avoid contact with certain individuals and to follow a treatment plan.
In 2021, her extended leave privileges were suspended following a domestic violence incident with her then-partner and father of her two kids, and she was ordered to follow a new psych treatment plan and to report any relationships.
In late 2024, concerns were raised about Sim’s “negative attitude” and behaviour described as “antagonizing, threatening and insulting.” She also refused drug tests and when eventual drug tests returned positive, she claimed it was due to prescription medication that caused a false positive.
Earlier this year, Sim was arrested following a positive drug test but initially resisted arrest, refused to leave her room and was argumentative.
“While in police custody, you were noted to be unco-operative (screaming and kicking),” the decision read. “While in provincial custody, your behaviour remains problematic.”
In a parole decision released this week, the Parole Board of Canada revoked Sim’s parole, citing positive drug tests and refusals to undergo drug-testing as breaches of her parole conditions. The PBC also noted Sim’s attitude when interacting with facility staff or parole supervisors as being a determining factor in her parole revocation.
sip@postmedia.com
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, then 15 years old, was among those who beat Virk and later drowned her
Author of the article:Stephanie Ip
Published Jul 14, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 2 minute read
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has had her day parole revoked after she breached release conditions.
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has had her day parole revoked after she breached release conditions.
Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has had her day parole revoked after she breached release conditions.
According to a decision issued last month and shared with Postmedia News this week, the Parole Board of Canada cited Sim’s refusal to participate in drug tests, her eventual positive test result after using drugs belonging to another prisoner and unco-operative behaviour as being factors in her parole being revoked.
“Despite the time you have had for self-reflection since returning to custody, the Board finds you continue to engage in behaviours and thinking that contributed to your suspension and are related to your risk to reoffend.
“Consequently, the Board concludes that you will, by reoffending before the expiration of your sentence, present an undue risk to society. Therefore, the Board revokes your day parole.”
In 1997, Victoria teen Reena Virk was lured to a party where she was swarmed and violently assaulted. Sim, then 15 years old, was among those who beat Virk and later drowned her.
In 2005, Sim began serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. She was granted day parole in 2017 and released to a community facility in 2018.
At the start of 2020, she was granted extended leave privileges along with a number of conditions such as not to consume alcohol or drugs, avoid contact with certain individuals and to follow a treatment plan.
In 2021, her extended leave privileges were suspended following a domestic violence incident with her then-partner and father of her two kids, and she was ordered to follow a new psych treatment plan and to report any relationships.
In late 2024, concerns were raised about Sim’s “negative attitude” and behaviour described as “antagonizing, threatening and insulting.” She also refused drug tests and when eventual drug tests returned positive, she claimed it was due to prescription medication that caused a false positive.
Earlier this year, Sim was arrested following a positive drug test but initially resisted arrest, refused to leave her room and was argumentative.
“While in police custody, you were noted to be unco-operative (screaming and kicking),” the decision read. “While in provincial custody, your behaviour remains problematic.”
In a parole decision released this week, the Parole Board of Canada revoked Sim’s parole, citing positive drug tests and refusals to undergo drug-testing as breaches of her parole conditions. The PBC also noted Sim’s attitude when interacting with facility staff or parole supervisors as being a determining factor in her parole revocation.
sip@postmedia.com