Hulu’s gripping crime drama Under the Bridge concluded its run on May 29, 2024, leaving audiences captivated by the harrowing true story it depicted. The miniseries delves into the tragic 1997 murder of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada, who was killed by a group of her peers. While the series takes creative liberties for dramatic effect, the core events and the people involved are rooted in a disturbing reality.
The official synopsis from Hulu sets the stage:
“Under the Bridge” is based on acclaimed author Rebecca Godfrey’s book about the 1997 true story of fourteen-year old Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta) who went to join friends at a party and never returned home. Through the eyes of Godfrey (Riley Keough) and a local police officer (Lily Gladstone), the series takes us into the hidden world of the young girls accused of the murder — revealing startling truths about the unlikely killer.”
The show portrays the legal aftermath for Reena Virk’s killers, but it also highlights the enduring impact on her parents, Manjit and Suman Virk, who transformed their grief into advocacy against bullying and violence. To understand the full scope of this tragic case, it’s crucial to explore what happened to the real individuals depicted in Under the Bridge after the events of 1997.
Let’s delve into the real lives of the key figures from Under the Bridge and uncover where they are now.
Life After the Bridge: Where Are the Real Under the Bridge Characters Now?
1) Kelly Ellard (Kerry Marie Sim)
Kelly Ellard as portrayed by Izzy G in Hulu's Under the Bridge series
Kelly Marie Ellard, now legally known as Kerry Marie Sim, remains incarcerated in British Columbia, serving a life sentence for the second-degree murder of Reena Virk. Ellard’s journey through the justice system has been protracted and complex. She faced three trials for the crime, being convicted twice.
In 2017, Sim was granted conditional day parole, and in 2020, she received permission for overnight leave privileges, signaling a gradual step towards reintegration. However, in 2022, she chose to waive her right to a parole hearing, acknowledging her lack of readiness to fully re-enter society. The Parole Board of Canada supported her decision.
According to a 2020 Vancouver Sun report, Sim had a relationship with Darwin Dorozan, a former gangster, who she connected with as a pen pal while both were incarcerated. While reports indicated she became a mother to two children, more recent media accounts suggest that Sim and Dorozan are now estranged. At 41 years old, Kerry Marie Sim currently resides in a residential facility in Maryland, and has reportedly expressed remorse for her horrific crime. Her case remains a stark reminder of the long shadow cast by the events under the Craigflower Bridge.
2) Warren Glowatski
Kelly Ellard as portrayed by Izzy G in Hulu's Under the Bridge series
Warren Glowatski, convicted of Reena Virk’s murder alongside Kelly Ellard in 1999, was also sentenced to life in prison. At the time of the murder, Glowatski was only 16 years old. The series portrays Glowatski as a young person failed by his family and societal structures, channeling his inner turmoil into acts of violence against Reena Virk. His upbringing was marked by instability, with frequent family moves across various Canadian provinces.
During his incarceration, Glowatski embarked on a path of rehabilitation and self-discovery. He embraced his Métis heritage and actively participated in restorative justice programs. His sincere efforts to atone for his actions and transform his life deeply moved Reena Virk’s parents, Manjit and Suman, who eventually extended their forgiveness to him.
This forgiveness played a significant role in Glowatski’s parole process. He was granted day parole in 2007 and achieved full parole in June 2010. Warren Glowatski’s story is one of profound transformation and demonstrates the potential for redemption even after committing grave offenses. His current whereabouts are kept private as he rebuilds his life outside of prison.
3) Josephine Bell (Nicole Cook)
Kelly Ellard as portrayed by Izzy G in Hulu's Under the Bridge series
Josephine Bell, a character in Under the Bridge, is a fictionalized representation of Nicole Cook. Author Rebecca Godfrey changed Cook’s name in her book to protect her identity as she was a minor at the time of the crime. Nicole Cook, born in 1983, spent her childhood in a group home. Despite her involvement in the initial assault on Reena Virk and her refusal to testify against Kelly Ellard, Cook has consistently denied any responsibility for Reena’s death.
As part of the “Shoreline Six,” the group of girls involved in the assault, Nicole Cook reportedly received a sentence ranging from 60 days of custodial sentence to one year in juvenile detention, according to a 2016 Vancouver Sun article.
In the 2011 MSNBC documentary Bloodlust Under the Bridge, Nicole Cook admitted to initiating the violence against Reena Virk by putting out a lit cigarette on her face. Since then, Nicole Cook has intentionally maintained a very low profile. Her current whereabouts are not publicly known, and she has largely remained out of the public eye.
4) Manjit and Suman Virk
Archie Panjabi and Ezra Faroque Khan portraying Suman and Manjit Virk in Hulu's Under the Bridge
Reena Virk’s parents, Manjit and Suman Virk, endured unimaginable grief following the murder of their daughter. Their journey involved not only seeking justice for Reena but also finding a path toward healing and forgiveness. Their decision to forgive Warren Glowatski after his participation in a restorative justice program exemplifies their capacity for compassion.
Following the tragic loss of Reena, Manjit and Suman Virk dedicated their lives to advocating against youth violence and bullying. They became prominent voices, speaking at schools, youth camps, and criminology classes. Their impactful work earned them the Anthony J. Hulmes Award of Distinction in 2009.
Manjit Virk further shared his family’s story and his personal reflections in his memoir, Reena: A Father’s Story, published in 2008. Suman Virk sadly passed away in 2018 at the age of 58 due to a choking incident in a cafe. Manjit Virk and their two remaining children continue to live with the legacy of Reena and Suman’s dedication to creating a safer and more compassionate world for young people. Manjit Virk’s ongoing advocacy ensures that Reena’s story continues to resonate and inspire positive change.
5) Rebecca Godfrey
Archie Panjabi and Ezra Faroque Khan portraying Suman and Manjit Virk in Hulu's Under the Bridge
Rebecca Godfrey, the author whose book Under the Bridge served as the foundation for the Hulu series, played a crucial role in bringing Reena Virk’s story to a wider audience. In the show, she is depicted as an investigative writer deeply immersed in the Virk murder case, interacting with various individuals connected to the events. The series also portrays a same-sex relationship between Godfrey and a female police officer.
In reality, Rebecca Godfrey came from a literary family; both her parents were writers. She was married to Herbert Wilson and had a daughter named Ada. Tragically, Rebecca Godfrey passed away in October 2022 at the age of 54 after battling lung cancer. Her work in chronicling the Reena Virk case remains a significant contribution to true crime literature and has sparked crucial conversations about youth violence and justice. Her legacy lives on through her powerful storytelling and the impact of Under the Bridge.
It’s important to note that some characters in Under the Bridge, such as Dusty and Cam, are fictional creations and not based on real individuals involved in the Reena Virk case. All episodes of Under the Bridge are currently available for streaming on Hulu, allowing viewers to further explore this complex and tragic true story.
