Hulu's new true-crime series "Under the Bridge" revisits the 1997 incident in which Canadian teenager Reena Virk was brutally beaten and drowned by her peers. Rather than approaching the tragedy as a straightforward investigation, the show (based on Rebecca Godfrey's non-fiction novel of the same name) takes its time to explore what Vic once shared with her young attacker. The nuances of a small town community.
Of the teenagers, six were convicted of assault. But only two people were convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Vick's death, and one of them remains in prison. Here's what happened to Kelly Ellard after the events of "Under the Bridge."
Teen clashes lead to fatal
As Godfrey writes in her book and subsequent Vice article, most of the teens who attacked Vick at the party retreated. But as the 14-year-old girl began walking home, Ellard and a boy named Warren Glowacki continued to chase her.
Vick's body was found in the water more than a week later, and both Ellard and Glowacki were charged in connection with her death.
After multiple trials, Ellard was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2005. (Glowacki was already serving a sentence for the same crime and was released on full parole in 2010.)
she has her own family
According to the Vancouver Sun, Elard became a mother in 2016, which she described as a "very inspiring" experience.
"She has a baby now, so I hope she understands how her parents feel," Raina's father, Manjit Virk, told CTV News in 2017.
At a parole hearing that same year, Ellard apologized for his role in Vick's death and how it changed the young girl's family forever. "I don't think sorry is enough. I mean their lives are completely ruined," she said . "I feel so guilty and ashamed and I wish I could have done something to make things better."
However, she still denied intentionally drowning Vic, instead explaining that she took the teen into the water to see if she would "wake up" after being beaten.
Neal Hall, who previously covered the Vick murder case for the newspaper, told CBC he hopes all the families involved are treated with caution, including Elard 's family, Ella De's family has since welcomed another child. "I guess she was probably worried that her children would be affected," he said.
Latest updates
Ellard, who now has a new name, will be allowed to remain on day parole from 2023, the Victorian Colonist reported. According to Correctional Service Canada, day parole can include "community-based activities," such as working, volunteering or attending school while still living in a residential facility.
The year before, Ellard had chosen not to apply for full parole. "As far as the situation goes, I'm not ready," she said.
If you or someone you know has been affected by bullying, visit the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center website at PACER.org/bullying.
