In a significant development that has rekindled memories of one of Canada’s most notorious murder cases, Kelly Ellard has had her day parole revoked following multiple positive drug tests. Ellard, now known as Kerry Sim, was convicted in the 1997 drowning death of 14-year-old Reena Virk in Victoria, British Columbia—a case that shocked the nation and brought attention to youth violence.
The Parole Board of Canada confirmed yesterday that Sim’s conditional release has been suspended after she tested positive for cocaine use on three separate occasions between December 2023 and March 2024. This marks a serious setback in what had appeared to be a path toward rehabilitation for the 41-year-old offender.
“The board determined that Sim’s repeated substance abuse constitutes a breach of her release conditions that directly impacts public safety considerations,” said parole board spokesperson Martin Renaud. “When conditional release terms are violated, especially involving illegal substances, it raises significant concerns about an offender’s commitment to rehabilitation.”
Sim was initially granted day parole in 2017, approximately 20 years after the brutal killing that made headlines across the country. The murder case became emblematic of teen bullying and violence after Virk was swarmed by a group of teenagers, beaten, and then drowned in Victoria’s Gorge waterway. Ellard, who was 15 at the time of the killing, was ultimately sentenced as an adult to life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole for seven years.
During her years on conditional release, Sim had shown some signs of progress. She had given birth to a child in 2017 while incarcerated and later maintained employment while living in a community residential facility. Her day parole had been gradually expanded over the years, with overnight privileges granted in 2020.
Reena Virk’s father, Manjit Virk, expressed mixed emotions about the development when reached for comment. “Our family continues to live with the consequences of Kelly’s actions every day,” he said. “While we’ve tried to move forward, news like this reopens old wounds and reminds us that the justice system must remain vigilant.”
Criminal justice experts point out that revocation of parole is not uncommon, particularly in high-profile cases where offenders face substantial reintegration challenges.
“The transition from institutional life to community living is fraught with difficulties,” explained Dr. Amanda Richardson, criminologist at the University of Toronto. “For someone who spent their formative years in custody, the pressures of society can trigger relapse behaviors, especially substance abuse, which is often connected to deeper psychological issues.”
Sim’s case has been closely monitored by victims’ advocacy groups and those focused on criminal justice reform. The parole revocation means she will return to a federal institution while the board reassesses her case.
“This development underscores the delicate balance the parole system tries to maintain between rehabilitation and public safety,” said Thomas Ryder, director of the Canadian Justice Network. “Each decision weighs heavily on everyone involved—the offender, the victims’ families, and the broader community.”
The timing of Sim’s next parole hearing remains uncertain, though typically such reviews occur within six months of revocation. Until then, she will remain in federal custody, a significant change from the community-based supervision she had been under.
As this case continues to evolve nearly three decades after Reena Virk’s death, it raises profound questions about rehabilitation, justice, and forgiveness: How do we as a society measure true rehabilitation, and at what point—if ever—can those who commit the most terrible acts be fully reintegrated into the communities they once harmed?
