Reena Virk's Killer Calls Hulu’s Under the Bridge Disrespectful to Victim
Woman who killed Reena Virk calls new TV series disrespectful to victim https://t.co/AaQ6SxClgc
- CTV News Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) April 25, 2024
Reena Virk's killer has described Under the Bridge, the hit Hulu true crime series starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone which dramatizes the 1997 murder, as disrespectful to the 14 year old victim and her family.
41-year-old Kerry Marie Sim - who changed her name from Kelly Ellard - had her comments summarized in a parole board decision confirming the continuation of her day-release privileges. And after nearly thirty years, Sim/Ellard has finally admitted a bigger role in the murder and finally expressed remorse for the crime to the parole board.
"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, and that the index offence was so horrendous that it would re-victimize the victim's family."
During Sim's trial, witnesses testified she told them she put her foot on Virk's head and smoked a cigarette while Virk lay in the water beneath the bridge where the attack by a group of teens took place
Sim was granted day parole. Her most recent psychological risk assessment, which was conducted in 2016, determined Sim would present "a moderate to high-moderate risk for future violence over the long term, and a relatively low risk over the short term," according to the documents.
Sim remains under several conditions during day parole, including that she abstain from drugs and alcohol, and avoid any "direct or indirect" contact with Virk's family.
Despite Sim/Ellard's concerns which totally aren't self-serving, the show runners of Under the Bridge actually worked directly with Reena’s father Manjit Virk to tell her story in the miniseries. They met personally with Manjit and optioned his memoir to tell Reena and the Virk family's story respectfully.
Source