Kerry Sim, formerly known as Kelly Ellard, responsible for the 1997 murder of teenager Reena Virk, has been taken into custody by the Surrey Police Service (SPS) for violating parole terms. SPS representative Ian MacDonald verified Sim’s arrest in South Surrey on an active Canada-wide warrant.
Last year, the parole board extended day parole for Sim, currently serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. The decision highlighted the challenges faced by the 41-year-old, including single-parenting, financial struggles, and the repercussions of her past actions.
In 1997, Sim and Warren Glowatski trailed 14-year-old Virk across the Craigflower Bridge, where after a brutal assault by a group of teenagers she considered friends, they dragged her into Victoria’s Gorge waterway. Subsequently, Sim held Virk’s head underwater until she drowned.
The heinous crime was featured in the Hulu true-crime series, “Under the Bridge,” launched last year. Correctional Service Canada (CSC) issued a statement expressing sympathy for Virk’s family and friends due to the enduring impact of the offender’s actions on them and the community.
CSC spokesperson Lucinda Fraser stated that immediate actions are taken if an offender breaches conditions, potentially leading to their return to custody or a reassessment of their supervision plan. Details of Sim’s breach were not disclosed by MacDonald, who mentioned officers were not fully briefed on the breach specifics.
In 2024, Sim was residing in a community-based residential facility in the Lower Mainland, grappling with financial constraints and childcare challenges. The parole conditions imposed on her in March last year included abstaining from substance abuse and avoiding contact with Virk’s relatives.
Sim, who had a child while incarcerated and another while on day parole, had her parole extended in the past but faced parole board scrutiny for domestic violence and drug use. The deteriorating behavior led to her 2021 arrest as per the parole records. CSC did not confirm Sim’s current custody status subsequent to this week’s apprehension.
