WARNING: This article contains graphic details which may be disturbing to some readers.
The heinous 1997 Saanich murder of Reena Virk is going to be depicted in a limited series on Hulu as the show is already in production.
The show entitled Under the Bridge is based on a book by the same name by the Victorian born author, Rebecca Godfrey.
In her book, Godfrey brought the story into mainstream popular culture and Reena Virk’s tragic death launched her career along with it.
What happened to Reena Virk
Reena Virk,14, met with a group of teenagers underneath the Craigflower Bridge. She was beaten viciously by a few in the group until one of the youths stopped the beating.
She then tried to flee the group, badly beaten and was followed by two teens who broke off from the group.
Virk was then beaten once again by Warren Paul Glowatski and Kelly Marie Ellard who proceeded to drown her while she was unconscious.
16-year old Glowatski was convicted of second degree murder and given a life sentence.
However, he was still a minor at the time and through a long parole hearing process was granted full parole in 2010.
Ellard had a long, drawn out sentencing as well going through three trials as results of hung juries and judgment errors but was eventually given a life sentence in 2005 with possibility of parole in seven years.
She changed her name to Kelly Marie Sim and was granted conditional day parole in 2017. In May 2022, now 39-years-old, Sim (Ellard) waived her right to a parole hearing as she did not feel ready to return to society on a full time basis.
The limited-series
Not much has been revealed about the series, Under the Bridge based on the book by the same name, but it is known that it will focus on author Rebecca Godrey.
Riley Keough, who is best known for her roles in Mad Max: Fury Road and American Honey, will star and executive produce the series, according to IMdB.
The series will be released on Hulu and is expected to air on the streaming service in 2023.
Some of the show’s episodes will be headed up by Indo-American director, producer and writer, Geeta Patel.
According to Variety Magazine, the series is being adapted to screen by Quinn Shepard, who is best known for writing, directing and starring in the Tribeca Film Festival’s 2017 film, Blame.
The series has the rights to the story via Rebecca Godfrey’s book but it is unclear at this time whether or not the production team making the limited-series consulted with Virk’s family for permission in making the show.
