Under the Bridge: The True Story of Warren Glowatski

Reena Virk’s tragic death made headlines in 1997. Virk was only 14 years old when her peers assaulted and drowned her in Saanich, Canada. Afterward, author Rebecca Godfrey wrote a book about her story, which Hulu adapted into a new miniseries, Under the Bridge.

Riley Keough stars as Godfrey in the show. After Virk (Vritika Gupta) goes missing, Godfrey works with Cam Bentland (Lily Gladstone), a local cop, to investigate what happened. The series primarily focuses on Virk’s friends, Josephine Bell (Chloe Guidry), Kelly Ellard (Izzy G.), and Dusty (Aiyanna Goodfellow), who all played a role in her demise. The most interesting character, however, is Warren Glowatski (Javon Walton)—a teenage boy who didn’t know Virk but was involved in her murder.

Godfrey depicts Glowatski as troubled and misunderstood in her book, which tracks with the teenager’s characterization in Under the Bridge. Keep reading for everything we know about Glowatski.

Who is Warren Glowatski?Warren Glowatski is one of the people who attacked Reena Virk in 1997. At the time, he was 16 years old. In Godfrey’s book, she describes him as “slight and short, with doe eyes, a pouf of dark curls,” and “the androgynous good looks of a teenage heartthrob.” The adults in his life abandoned him. His mother suffered from alcoholism, and his father moved constantly, often leaving his son behind.

When Virk died, Glowatski was reportedly living at his friend’s house. His father had recently left to live in California with his new girlfriend. Godfrey reports that Glowatski was a “Crip” and “was fond of sagging white jeans,” along with the rapper, Too $hort.

Bettina StraussJavon Walton as Warren Glowatski.

Did Warren Glowatski Kill Reena Virk?Glowatski admitted to repeatedly kicking Virk. She suffered substantial injuries from his attack, as well as another beating just before. beating. The next day, Glowatski went to his girlfriend’s house. She claims that he asked her to bleach the blood out of his pants, which is a moment we see loosely adapted in Under the Bridge.

In real life, the young woman told the police that Glowatski confessed to following Reena Virk with Kelly Ellard. She remembered him saying, “Something happened…Kelly did something to her.” Virk’s autopsy, which Dr. Laurel Gray conducted, revealed “multiple blows sustained in the abdominal area,” along with “a crush convulsion injury as often seen in car crash victims” and “extensive bruising under the skin of her face.” Gray also noted a bruise in the shape of a sneaker print on the back of Virk’s brain. After finding pebbles in her lungs, she concluded that Virk drowned, too.

What Happened to Warren Glowatski?Glowatski told the police that he only kicked Virk. He claimed that Ellard drowned her while he stood by helplessly. The police reportedly said, “You’re the guy in this case … you’re going down big time.” In 1999, a judge called Glowatski’s testimony “incomplete and improbable.” He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. After the trial, his mother cried and told reporters, “There’s just no way that he killed that girl.” According to Godfrey, Glowatski couldn’t afford a high-profile lawyer—unlike Ellard, whose family hired an experienced attorney. A public defender who specialized in DUIs represented him.

While in prison, Glowatski stayed out of trouble and mentored at-risk youth. He also worked for restorative justice programs and met with Virk’s parents. Eventually, they forgave him and, in 2010, supported his request for parole. Virk’s mother told reporters that he held himself accountable for his actions.

Glowatski told the Virks, “I hope that one day I will be able to be as caring, selfless…I don’t take your support for granted.” CBC News reports that members of the National Parole Board said Glowatski didn’t pose a risk to the public. He was released under the condition that he report to a parole officer, not use intoxicants, and abstain from associating with known criminals.

Glowatski has yet to comment on Under the Bridge.