Viewers who have seen Under the Bridge on Hulu are wondering about Kelly Ellard‘s whereabouts today. Some viewers also want to learn if Ellard is still in jail or has been granted day parole. This does not come as a surprise, given Ellard’s status as one of Reena Virk’s six murderers in both the Hulu series as well as real life.
So is Kelly Ellard still imprisoned? Where is she now? Here are your answers.
Is Under the Bridge’s Kelly Ellard still in jail today?
Yes, Kelly Ellard is still in jail today. However, she has been granted day parole.
Kelly Ellard was 15 years old when she murdered Reena Virk by drowning in February 1997. However, three years later in March 2000, she was convicted of second-degree murder and tried as an adult alongside fellow guilty party Warren Clowatski. This was later overturned after an appeal. She was later tried again in June 2004, which was declared a mistrial by the jury in July 2004 after it got deadlocked 11 to 1. She then had a third trial in February 2005 and was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder two months later and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ellard was then granted day parole in 2017, which was later extended in 2018 and continued to be periodically extended. The day parole was briefly suspended between August 2021 and late October 2021 for Ellard’s failure to report domestic violence.
After the day parole extension, she changed her name to Kerry Marie Sim, as per documents from the Parole Board of Canada. (via CTV News)
As per CBC News, Kelly Ellard mothered her first child in prison and later conceived her second child while on day parole in 2020.
Kelly Ellard’s day parole extension explained
Kelly Ellard’s day parole is subject to nine conditions. These include not consuming any drugs, alcohol, or substances, not engaging with certain individuals, and following treatment plans that have been set for her. In 2020, her day parole conditions also stipulated that she could live away from prison for up to five days.
As per CTV News, Ellard called Under the Bridge, which adapts the story of Reena Virk’s murder, disrespectful to the Virk family, claiming it would “re-victimize” the Virks.
