Reena Virk was a 14-year-old Canadian girl who was born on March 10, 1983, in Saanich, British Columbia. She sadly died on November 14, 1997, in the same town. Reena was bullied and beaten by a group of teenagers, and then drowned. Reena Virk death shocked Canada and got a lot of attention in the news. It started many conversations about bullying and violence among girls.
Reena Virk parents were Manjit and Suman Virk. Her father had moved to Canada from India. Her mother came from a South Asian family that had changed their religion from Sikhism to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Because of their faith, Reena Virk family was seen as different even within their South Asian community.
Reena Virk had a hard time fitting in at school. She wanted to be accepted by her classmates but was often teased for her weight and appearance. She started acting out—smoking and skipping rules—to try to be accepted. In 1996, Reena Virk accused her father of abuse and stayed in government care for a few months. Later, she dropped the charges and returned home.
On the night she was killed, Reena Virk was attacked by a group of teenagers. Six of them, known as the “Shoreline Six,” were found guilty of assault. Two others, Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard, were later found guilty of her murder.
Reena Virk story led to many books, plays, poems, and even a TV series. A play called The Shape of a Girl and the book Under the Bridge by Rebecca Godfrey were inspired by her case. In 2024, a TV series also titled Under the Bridge aired on Hulu, where actress Vritika Gupta played Reena. Her father also wrote a book called Reena: A Father’s Story in 2008, where he criticized the child protection system for failing his daughter.
Reena Virk story is remembered across Canada as a sad reminder of bullying, peer pressure, and the need for kindness and support for vulnerable youth.
Parents
Reena Virk father is Manjit Virk, and her mother is Suman Virk. Her father moved to Canada from India. Her mother was born into a South Asian family in Canada. Both parents were part of the Jehovah’s Witness religion, which made them different from most people in their South Asian community, who were mainly Sikh. After Reena Virk death, her parents spoke out strongly against bullying and the justice system.
Height and Weight
Reena Virk was about 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall and weighed around 150 pounds (68 kg). She was often bullied because of her weight and appearance.
Siblings
There is no public information confirming the names or number of Reena Virk siblings. Most reports focus on her parents and the tragic events surrounding her death.
Nationality
Reena Virk was Canadian. She was born and raised in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada.
Ethnicity
Reena Virk was of South Asian (Indian) background. Her family was part of the Indo-Canadian community.
Death
Reena Virk died on November 14, 1997, at the age of 14. She was beaten and then drowned in the Gorge Waterway in Saanich, British Columbia. Her death was ruled as homicide by forcible drowning.
Killers
Eight teenagers were involved in her attack. Six girls, known as the “Shoreline Six,” beat her up. Two others, Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard, were later found guilty of her murder. They followed her after the first attack, beat her again, and drowned her.
Arrest
All eight teenagers were arrested. The Shoreline Six were charged with assault, while Glowatski and Ellard were charged with murder. Over time, trials and appeals took place, but both Glowatski and
Ellard were eventually found guilty and sent to prison.
FAQS
1. What was Reena Virk real name?
- Her real name was Reena Virk.
2. How old was Reena Virk when she died?
- Reena Virk was 14 years old when she died on November 14, 1997.
3. What did Reena Virk do for a career?
- Reena Virk was a high school student. She did not have a career, as she was still a teenager.
4. Where did Reena Virk go to school?
- Reena Virk was attending middle/high school in Saanich, British Columbia, but her exact school name is not widely shared.
5. Who were Reena Virk parents?
- Reena Virk parents were Manjit Virk (father) and Suman Virk (mother).
6. Did Reena Virk have any siblings?
- There is no public record confirming Reena Virk siblings. Most reports focus on her and her parents.
7. What was Reena Virk nationality?
- Reena Virk was Canadian.
8. Was Reena Virk story made into a movie or TV show?
- Yes. In 2024, a TV miniseries titled "Under the Bridge" was released on Hulu. Actress Vritika Gupta played Reena Virk, and Riley Keough played author Rebecca Godfrey.
9. Are there any books written about Reena Virk?
- Yes. Two major books are:
"Under the Bridge" by Rebecca Godfrey
"Reena: A Father’s Story" by Manjit Virk (her father)
10. Who killed Reena Virk?
- Reena Virk was attacked by eight teenagers. Six girls, called the Shoreline Six, beat her up. Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard were later convicted for her murder by drowning.
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