14.86°C Vancouver

Jan 14, 2021 8:24 PM -

24 years after Reena Virk's murder, parole board continues Kelly Ellard's release

Share On
24-years-after-reena-virks-murder-parole-board-continues-kelly-ellards-release
Kelly Ellard and her father, Lawrence, leave the Vancouver courthouse on March 30, 2000. The now 38-year-old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Adrian Wyld

The 38 year old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole.

The Parole Board of Canada has released its ruling on Kelly Ellard, who now goes by the name of Kerry Sim.

In a decision released Thursday, the board says Sim, now the mother of two young children, remains "positive and compliant" in the community and continues to have high reintegration potential.

Her day parole was expanded last summer to allow her to live away from a residential facility for up to five days each week and the parole board is continuing that order for another six months.

It says Sim's case management team reports she has demonstrated remorse for Virk's murder, takes full responsibility for the attack and believes the best way to show her remorse is to "live a pro-social life in honour of the victim and her family."

Sim was 15 when she and a group of teens beat Virk and then she and an accomplice followed the injured girl, beat her again and drowned her in the Gorge waterway.

Latest news

BCSep 24, 2026

Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Ford Pickup in Hope

A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a Ford pickup truck on Highway 3 in the Hope area of B.C. Wednesday night. Hope RCMP said police received a report of the collision at around 8:38 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, the pedestrian had already died. Just minutes before the crash, police had also received a report of a person walking in the slow lane near the Highway 1 junction on Highway 5. Police said the truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Corporal Carmen Keener said there were no initial indications that alcohol was a factor.
CanadaSep 24, 2026

Canada Lifts Deportation Pause for Four Middle Eastern Countries

Canada has lifted a temporary suspension on removals to four Middle Eastern countries, meaning deportation proceedings for individuals from those countries who are not legally admissible to remain in Canada can resume immediately. The temporary pause had been introduced amid security concerns arising from the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, which raised concerns about the safety of civilians in the region. The suspension applied to removals to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The Canada Border Services Agency has now announced that the pause has been lifted. As a result, indi
trumps-possible-u-s-diesel-export-ban-could-drive-up-global-prices
CanadaSep 24, 2026

Trump’s Possible U.S. Diesel Export Ban Could Drive Up Global Prices

Consumers in Canada and around the world could face higher costs if U.S. President Donald Trump moves ahead with a potential ban on American diesel exports. Trump has recently indicated that he could restrict diesel exports in an effort to lower prices for U.S. consumers. Rising oil prices linked to the war in the Middle East are creating political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections, with Republicans facing the risk of losing control of Congress. Media reports suggest the proposed restriction could remain in place for 90 days. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed t
BCSep 24, 2026

Former BC Conservative leader John Rustad will not seek re-election

Former BC Conservative leader John Rustad will not seek re-election in his riding in the Oct. 24 provincial election, with the party expected to nominate a new candidate there. The political development comes as the BC Conservatives announced business and political leader Pavneet Singh as their candidate in Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. Singh currently serves as the party’s vice-president. The party’s board of directors has also outlined its position on the leadership of interim leader Lorne Doerkson. According to a statement from the board, if Doerkson leads the party to victory in the
BCSep 23, 2026

BC Green Leader Emily Lowan to Run in Saanich North After Rob Botterell Retires

BC Green Party MLA Rob Botterell has announced his retirement from politics, opening the door for party leader Emily Lowan to contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election. Botterell confirmed his decision during a joint news conference with Lowan in Victoria. Lowan will now seek the seat, which has been held by the Greens since Adam Olsen won it in 2017 and was retained by Botterell in the 2024 election. Elections BC records show Botterell was elected with the Green Party in 2024. The riding is considered significant for the BC Greens, given the party’

Related News