Woman who killed Reena Virk calls new TV series disrespectful to victim
The B.C. woman convicted of killing Reena Virk described the TV series dramatizing the notorious 1997 murder as disrespectful to the victim and her family.
The comments from 41-year-old Kerry Sim – who changed her name from Kelly Ellard – are summarized in a parole board decision confirming the continuation of her day-release privileges.
"You have not breached any conditions, have not demonstrated any violent or aggressive behaviours, and appear to remain family focused," reads the March 28 decision.
"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 index offence was so horrendous that it would re-victimize the victim's family."
The Hulu series, "Under the Bridge," starring Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough, has been generally well-received by critics, while leaving some who followed the news of Virk's killing 27 years ago – particularly those living in the Victoria area, where the 14-year-old was beaten and drowned – concerned about potentially sensationalizing the tragedy.
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 initially granted day parole in 2017, and she received extended overnight leave privileges beginning in 2020 – but her parole was suspended the following year over incidents of domestic violence between Sim and her then-partner, who is the father of her two children.
She has since resumed day release, including overnight leave, and the Parole Board of Canada, in its March decision, decided to continue those privileges for another six months.
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.
"Your risk would be on the higher end should you abuse substances or associate with negative individuals," the decision adds.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street