Rebecca Godfrey's novel 'Under the Bridge' comes to life on Hulu years after her tragic death from cancer
LOS ANGELS, CALIFORNIA: Rebecca Godfrey, the acclaimed novelist known for her investigation of troubled teenagers in true-crime stories and whose work inspired Hulu's 'Under the Bridge', died on October 3, 2022, at the age of 54.
The audience responded positively to Godfrey's fascinating source material, which served as inspiration for the television series.
The series also portrays Godfrey's character, played by Riley Keough, passionate about the case, as she goes to great lengths to do research for the book.
Rebecca Godfrey struggled with Lung Cancer
Godfrey, the daughter of writers Dave Godfrey and Ellen Godfrey, had an interest in writing from an early age.
Following the release of 'Under the Bridge' in 2005, she gained recognition for the extensive research that informed the book.
Later, she proceeded to make a reputation for herself in the literary world until she received the tragic news that she had cancer.
The author died from lung cancer in New York City on October 3, 2022. At the time of her death, she had nearly completed her book 'The Dilettante,' which was eventually completed based on her notes.
It's also noteworthy that a week before her passing, Hulu announced its intention to produce the series 'Under the Bridge', a development that was welcomed by Godfrey.
Why was Rebecca Godfrey fascinated with the Reena Virk murder case?
In her interview with The Believer Logger, Godfrey discussed her involvement in the intricate Reena Virk murder case.
She mentioned that upon first learning about the case, she recognized parallels to her earlier work, 'The Torn Skirt,' which motivated her to pursue the topic.
She also revealed that, like the females charged in the case, she had a rebellious streak during her adolescence, which fueled her determination to further investigate the issue.
What was the Reena Virk murder case?
The Reena Virk murder case was a tragic event that took place in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada.
According to The Canadian Encyclopaedia, in November 1997, a group of youths known as the Shoreline Six lured Reena beneath a bridge.
Virk was mercilessly beaten and subjected to additional severe assaults, including being kicked, punched, and burned with a cigarette.
Two of the teenagers, Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, chased Reena after the initial assault and ultimately drowned her in a nearby creek.
The case sparked widespread outrage, drawing public attention to issues of bullying and violence among young people.
Godfrey's book on the murder case was well-known because it highlighted the case's complexities.
'Under the Bridge' trailer