True crime dramas have become one of the most popular genres for streaming amongst the audience. The gripping stories, the shocking plot twists and the astonishing insights into the minds of the criminals make these shows worth a watch. Bringing the same thrill back with another true story, Disney+ Hotstar’s new true crime series titled Under The Bridge is a must-watch miniseries for all. Developed by Quinn Shephard, the story is based on the book of the same name by Rebecca Godfrey.
The new Disney+ Hotstar series, Under The Bridge, revolves around the horrific murder of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl from Saanich, British Columbia. She was brutally assaulted and murdered by a group of her peers and the series, Under The Bridge, will reveal to the audience the true story of how this crime was carried out. The miniseries is out on Disney+ Hotstar, so check out the true story of Under The Bridge and then stream the show online.
Under The Bridge: The tragic true story of Reena Virk’s murder
The true story of Under The Bridge revolves around Reena Virk’s killing. It was a tragic and notorious case that occurred in Canada in 1997. The incident took place on 14 November near the Craigflower Bridge in Victoria, British Columbia. Reena Virk was lured to the area by a group of teenagers, primarily girls, who then proceeded to physically assault her. After the initial assault, Reena attempted to flee the scene but was pursued and attacked again, this time with greater severity. She was ultimately beaten and then drowned by her attackers in the shallow waters near the bridge.
Who was Reena Virk?
Reena belonged to a family that was “a minority within a minority”. Her father was an immigrant from India, while her mother came from an Indo-Canadian family. They belonged to the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the local South Asian community of 3000 people, that was predominantly Sikh. Due to Reena’s racial identity and her bulky physical appearance, she desperately sought acceptance amongst her peers. However, she was often taunted and ostracised by girls whose subculture was influenced by Los Angeles street gangs. She was also often bullied for her weight.
This caused her to act out and she began to smoke marijuana and cigarettes. She felt insecure as she felt restricted by the rules of her family’s faith. To get away from her family and gain some freedom, Reena falsely reported her father for sexual molestation in 1996. She was moved from her family’s home into the province’s care for several months. Reena Virk was a student at nearby Colquitz Junior High School.
Under The Bridge true story: How was Reena killed?
The Disney+ Hotstar series, Under The Bridge, details the key takeaways of the brutal murder. Reena Virk went to a party that she was invited to by her friend. The party took place near the Craigflower Bridge in Saanich. The friends drank and smoked when Virk was swarmed by a group later. The gang called the Shoreline Six included members — N.C. (Nicole Cook), N.P. (Nicole Patterson), M.G.P. (Missy Grace Pleich), C.A.K. (Courtney Keith), G.O. (Gail Ooms), and K.M.E. (Kelly Marie Ellard). The girls repeatedly hit, punched, and kicked Reena, who had several cigarette burns on her skin. Attempts to set her hair on fire were also made.
Ellard along with one of her male friends, Warren Glowatski, followed Reena and dragged her to the other side of the bridge after she tried to escape the scene. They made her remove her shoes and jacket and continued beating her, which led to her death. The news was confirmed eight days later on 22 November. After a long search, the police used a helicopter and managed to find the victim’s partially clothed body washed ashore at the Gorge Inlet, a major waterway on Vancouver Island.
The culprits & the trail
The trial that followed exposed a troubling narrative of bullying, peer pressure, and teenage violence. Several individuals were charged and convicted in connection with Reena Virk’s murder. Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard were among the primary perpetrators, and they were both convicted of second-degree murder. Ellard’s conviction was particularly notable because it marked the first time in Canadian history that a teenage girl was convicted of murder. She was 15 years old at the time of the crime.
What was the motive?
It is said that two of the girls convicted in the case alleged that Reena stole a phone book from Nicole Cook and started spreading rumours about her. M.G.P. and Warren were targeting Reena because of her race. Warren Glowatski was the only male involved in the crime.
Hero & Feature Images: Courtesy IMDb
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is Under the Bridge based on?
The true story of Under the Bridge revolves around the horrific murder of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl from Saanich, British Columbia.
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