Warren Glowatski has been out of prison on full parole since 2010, after serving roughly a decade for his role in Reena Virk's 1997 murder.
He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999, took part in a restorative justice process with Reena's parents, and moved from day parole in 2007 to full parole in 2010. As of 2026, no new violations tied to him have surfaced — a sharp contrast to his co-accused, Kelly Ellard, whose parole was recently revoked.
Who Was Reena Virk?
Reena Virk was a 14-year-old girl from Saanich, British Columbia. She was born March 10, 1983, and killed on November 14, 1997.
A group of teenagers attacked her under the Craigflower Bridge that night. After the initial assault ended, two of the group — Warren Glowatski, then 16, and Kelly Ellard, then 15 — followed her and drowned her in the nearby Gorge Waterway.
Eight teens were originally linked to the attack. Six were convicted of assault and became known in press coverage as the "Shoreline Six." Only Glowatski and Ellard faced murder charges.
What Happened to Warren Glowatski After the Murder?
Glowatski's trial started in April 1999. He was convicted of second-degree murder two months later and sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for seven years.
Here's the timeline, based on court records and CBC's ongoing coverage of the case:
| Year | Event |
| 1997 | Reena Virk is murdered; Glowatski is arrested |
| 1999 | Convicted of second-degree murder; sentenced to life |
| Early 2000s | Testifies as a Crown witness in Kelly Ellard's trial |
| 2007 | Granted day parole |
| 2010 | Granted full parole |
| 2026 | Remains on parole; no public violations reported |
Why Did He Testify Against Kelly Ellard?
Glowatski admitted guilt early and became a Crown witness against Ellard. That cooperation, paired with his own remorse, shaped how the parole board and public viewed him differently than Ellard, who denied full responsibility for years.
How Did Warren Glowatski Get Parole?
Three things drove his release, based on parole board and CBC reporting:
- Restorative justice. Glowatski took part in a formal process with Reena's parents, Suman and Manjit Virk, where he described the night of the murder and expressed remorse.
- Family support. Both parents attended his 2007 day parole hearing and spoke in favor of his release — unusual in a murder case.
- Cultural and rehabilitation programming. While incarcerated, Glowatski learned he had Métis heritage and asked that Métis elders take part in his hearings, including a traditional smudge ceremony.
So why would a murdered girl's own parents back her killer's release? Suman Virk told reporters after the 2007 hearing that Glowatski was the only person involved in the case who seemed to have truly taken responsibility.
Where Is Warren Glowatski Now in 2026?
Public records show no change to his parole status since 2010. He's kept a low profile, and unlike Kelly Ellard, there's no record of him legally changing his name.
Most recent attention to the case traces back to Hulu's 2024 miniseries Under the Bridge, based on journalist Rebecca Godfrey's book of the same name. Actor Javon Walton played Glowatski and has spoken publicly about the role. Beyond that renewed interest, there's no evidence of new hearings, arrests, or public statements from Glowatski in 2025 or 2026.
References
- TODAY.com — "Where is Warren Glowatski from 'Under the Bridge' now?"
- Wikipedia — "Murder of Reena Virk"
- Victoria Times Colonist — "Loss of day parole upheld for killer of Reena Virk"
- Global News — "Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has day parole revoked due to recent behaviour"
- AOL/People — "Where Is Reena Virk's Killer Warren Glowatski Now?"
