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Hulu's newest true crime limited series, Under the Bridge, brings to its viewers a fictionalized interpretation of the 1997 murder of Reena Virk, which led to the conviction of Warren Glowatski (16) and Kelly Marie Ellard (15).
Developed by Quinn Shephard and based on the novel of the same name by the late Canadian author Rebecca Godfrey, Hulu's Under the Bridge shows how a 14-year-old teenager was beaten and drowned in the Gorge Waterway of British Columbia. Her body was found eight days later, and the crime was traced back to Ellard and Glowatski.
Warren Glowatski and Kelly Marie Ellard were charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. While Ellard remains incarcerated at the Fraser Valley Institution, Glowatski was released on full parole in June 2010.
The official synopsis of Under the Bridge reads,
"Reena Virk, a fourteen-year-old girl, went to join friends at a party and never returned home. Seven teenage girls and a boy were accused of the savage murder."
What happened to Reena Virk? Details explored
On November 14, 1997, Reena Virk was invited to a party by her schoolmates and two of her foster care friends. According to The Independent, the gathering started behind the school and moved to a place near the Craigflower Bridge in British Columbia.
Nicole Cook, a member of The Shoreline Six, approached Reena, who accused her of spreading rumors and stubbed a cigarette on her forehead. Virk was then beaten and kicked by the group, which included Warren Glowatski (16) and Cook's best friend, Kelly Ellard (15).
As Virk freed herself from the sudden assault and walked away towards the bus stop, Glowatski and Ellard followed her. She was beaten up again and dragged to the waterway, where she was reportedly held underwater by Kelly Ellard till she drowned.
Reena was found eight days later, on November 22, as her partially clothed body washed up at the Gorge Inlet in Vancouver Island.
Why were Warren Glowatski and Kelly Marie Ellard arrested?
The disappearance of Reena Virk was taken seriously only after she failed to return to her foster home after two days. As rumors spread at school, the investigation into her disappearance picked up. Once Virk's body washed ashore, the local police started questioning her friends and family.
Nicole Cook reportedly refused to divulge details about Kelly Ellard's involvement. Meanwhile, Ellard blamed Cook for the incident. Rebecca Godfrey's piece on VICE stated that the police found Reena Virk's black nylon Calvin Klein jacket stained with saltwater residue in Ellard's closet, which served as crucial evidence. Ellard claimed that the jacket belonged to her.
The reason behind Warren Glowatski's involvement remained unknown. However, he offered insight into the crime and cooperated with the police. Both teenagers were tried as adults and convicted of the second-degree murder of Reena Virk.
While Warren Glowatski was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after seven years, Kelly Marie Ellard underwent trial thrice. She was subsequently sentenced to life with no chance of parole.
Kelly Ellard changed her name to Kerry Marie Sim. In May 2022, she gave up her right to a parole hearing. On the other hand, Glowatski took part in restorative justice programs and became a free man in June 2010.
Catch the episodes of Under the Bridge on Hulu as they premiere on Sundays starting April 17, 2024.
