A chilling chapter of crime history reopened this past Saturday as Sheila Keen-Warren, once infamously dubbed the "killer clown," walked out of prison after more than seven years behind bars. This peculiar case tied to the 1990 murder of Marlene Warren, who was shot by someone dressed as a clown, has intrigued and horrified the public for decades. Now, Keen-Warren, who is 61 years old, pleads her innocence even as she pleads guilty to second-degree murder.
On the fateful day, May 26, 1990, Marlene Warren's life was abruptly cut short when she answered her door to find the clown, who was later identified as Keen-Warren, delivering balloons and flowers. Her son, Joseph Ahrens, recounted how the clown handed his mother the bouquet before fatally shooting her. Despite the horror, the case remained unresolved for nearly 30 years, shrouded in mystery and speculation.
After being arrested with the help of improved DNA testing, Keen-Warren's trial intensified. She accepted the plea deal only weeks prior to her scheduled trial, leading to her sentencing of 12 years. According to Florida law at the time, she was eligible for significant good behavior credits, allowing her to leave prison much sooner than expected. State authorities confirmed her early release on November 2, indicating she would serve about 18 months after the guilty plea.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg reiterated the seriousness of the conviction, stating, "Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear the stain for every day for the rest of her life." His comments serve as reminder of the gravity of Keen-Warren's actions, irrespective of her current freedom.
Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren's attorney, expressed relief over her release, reiteratively emphasizing her innocence. He acknowledged the plea deal was not based on guilt but rather the hope of avoiding the possibility of receiving life imprisonment or potentially facing the death penalty if the case had gone to trial.
The case is packed with twists and turns. Keen-Warren worked at the used car dealership owned by Michael Warren—the very husband of her victim—amid allegations of marital infidelity. There have been whispers of their affair long before the murder, with witnesses from the time claiming to have seen the couple together frequently, something they both denied.
After Marlene's death, Keen-Warren did not wait long before marrying Michael Warren. They moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they started anew by opening a restaurant. Despite their domestic life, the shadow of the murder still lingers over the couple.
This case took another alarming turn when new evidence emerged many years later, where DNA samples gathered from the crime scene could not definitively tie Keen-Warren to the murder. During the cold case’s reopening for investigation, detectives uncovered weaknesses within the DNA evidence presented against her. Forces of justice had tiptoed carefully around her, searching for hard proof all those years.
To add to the sordid tales, several concerning details have surfaced about Michael Warren. His criminal past includes convictions for grand theft and racketeering alongside other unethical practices related to his car dealership. Yet, throughout the inquiry surrounding his wife’s murder, he has managed to evade any charges.
Backtracking to the initial morning when Marlene died, it is notable how witnesses described the event so vividly. A few days prior, Keen-Warren was seen purchasing the very clown costume and balloons used during the violent encounter. The clown attire, paired with balloons announcing “You’re the Greatest,” turned what could have been merely playful gestures of excitement and celebration to tragic reminders of loss and deceit.
Marlene's son claimed she had expressed the fear of what would happen if she were to confront her husband about their lifestyle and potential affair. She had supposedly warned her mother, saying, "If anything happens to me, Mike done it.” This statement, echoed from beyond the grave, raises troubling ethical questions about loyalty and trust within their family. Despite such accusations, and the peculiarities surrounding the case, Michael Warren has maintained his innocence throughout, denying any involvement.
The question of justice ripples through the community as reactions vary from relief for Keen-Warren’s release to disbelief over the legal proceedings. While Keen-Warren's earlier years will forever haunt her, the elusive final resolution of the case continues to prompt conversations about fairness and error within the judicial system.
Now, with Keen-Warren back home, both she and the public are left pondering what the next chapter will hold for everyone involved. While she asserts her innocence, she must confront the unshakable reality revealed through her past actions and the choices made. Whether she will ever truly escape the grim title of "killer clown" remains to be seen, just as the unresolved questions of the original murder linger over the community.
