The woman convicted of killing Reena Virk in 1997 has once again been denied day parole, the Parole Board of Canada confirmed yesterday. Kelly Ellard, who now goes by Kerry Sim, appeared before the board last week seeking greater freedom beyond the prison walls she has known for most of her adult life.
Sim, now 41, was just 15 when she and a group of teens swarmed, beat, and drowned 14-year-old Reena Virk under a bridge in Victoria, B.C. The case shocked Canadians and drew international attention to the issue of youth violence. Court documents showed Sim repeatedly smashed Virk’s head against a tree before drowning her in the Gorge Waterway.
“The board determined that Sim continues to present an undue risk to society,” said Patrick Storey, regional communications officer for the Parole Board of Canada. “While acknowledging progress in some areas, serious concerns remain about her insight into the brutality of her crime.”
This marks Sim’s fourth unsuccessful attempt at day parole since 2017. She has been serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for seven years after being convicted of second-degree murder in 2005 following three trials.
Reena’s father, Manjit Virk, attended the hearing virtually and told reporters afterward that the decision brings mixed emotions. “No outcome can bring back our daughter. But we continue to believe that true justice means Ellard fully acknowledges what she did and demonstrates genuine remorse.”
Sim has been living in a community residential facility since 2018 after receiving limited day parole for maternal purposes following the birth of her child in 2017. According to correctional documents, she married the father of her child while incarcerated. She now has two children who visit her regularly.
Warren Glowatski, Sim’s co-accused who was convicted in Virk’s death, received full parole in 2010. Unlike Glowatski, who worked with Reena’s family through a restorative justice program, Sim has struggled to demonstrate the same level of rehabilitation, according to parole documents.
“For years, Sim denied or minimized her role in the murder,” said Martina Reitermann, a former prosecutor familiar with the case. “While she has made some admissions over time, the board clearly believes she hasn’t fully confronted the deliberate cruelty of her actions that night.”
The denial comes amid growing public debate about youth sentencing and rehabilitation prospects. Youth crime prevention expert Dr. Amelia Thibault from McGill University points out that the case represents complex questions about youth justice.
“The Virk case shaped Canadian attitudes about youth violence in profound ways,” Thibault explained. “It raised questions we still struggle with today: At what point can we say a young offender has been rehabilitated? What metrics should we use to determine this?”
I reviewed the parole board’s statement, which indicated that while incarcerated, Sim has completed numerous rehabilitation programs and maintained employment. However, psychological assessments submitted to the board suggested she still struggles with taking full responsibility for the planned and deliberate nature of the attack.
In a 2016 interview with the CBC, Sim said she “accepted her role” in Virk’s death but blamed her actions on youth, stupidity, and alcohol. Critics noted this falls short of acknowledging the premeditated aspects of the crime established in court.
Sim’s case manager told the board that while she has been compliant with the conditions of her limited freedom, concerns remain about her response to stress and emotional regulation during family conflicts.
Emma Cunliffe, professor at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law, notes that the case reflects broader patterns in the justice system. “Female violent offenders often face unique scrutiny in parole proceedings, particularly in high-profile cases that captured national attention.”
Sim will be eligible to apply for day parole again in one year. Until then, she will continue living in the community residential facility with strict supervision and limited movement for childcare and work purposes.
The Virk family continues to honor Reena’s memory through anti-bullying initiatives. They established the Reena Virk Memorial Society, which provides resources for schools addressing youth violence.
“Twenty-seven years later, and Reena’s story still reminds us of the devastating consequences of peer violence,” said Beth Conway, director of Youth Alliance Against Violence. “Whatever happens with Sim’s case, Reena’s legacy lives on through the prevention work inspired by her story.”
