Suman Virk, mother of Reena Virk, died over the weekend. File photo.
The mother of Reena Virk, the Victoria teen who was murdered in 1997, has died.
Suman Virk died over the weekend in what the family is describing as a tragic accident. She was 58.
Suman and her husband Manjit became anti-bullying advocates after 14-year-old Reena was killed on Nov. 14, 1997. On that day, Reena was swarmed and beaten by a group of mostly teen girls under the Craigflower Bridge. When the beating stopped, Reena limped away but she was followed by 15-year-old Kelly Ellard and 16-year-old Warren Glowatski, who beat her again before Ellard held Reena’s head under the water and watched her drown.
Reena Virk was killed in November 1997.
The horrifying murder thrust bullying and teen violence into the spotlight. Suman and Manjit travelled around Canada to speak to high school students and help schools develop anti-bullying programs.
More than a decade after the murder of Reena, Majit wrote about Reena’s upbringing and her death in a book called Reena: A Father’s Story. The family marked the 20th anniversary of Reena’s killing last November at the Craigflower Bridge but Suman was not well enough to attend.
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn Suman’s death. There will be a private funeral service on Saturday.
Premier John Horgan expressed his condolences to the Virk family on Twitter.
Just learned the news of the tragic and sudden passing of Suman Virk, mother of the late Reena Virk. Suman's tireless work to end bullying has helped make life better for countless kids in BC. Our hearts are with Manjit Virk and the entire Virk family at this difficult time.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) June 18, 2018
With files from Katie DeRosa, The Times Colonist
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