Sheila Keen-Warren Freed After Pleading Guilty to Second-Degree Murder of Marlene Warren
Sheila Keen-Warren, dubbed Florida’s “killer clown,” was released from prison Saturday, 18 months after pleading guilty to the 1990 murder of Marlene Warren. Keen-Warren, 61, maintained her innocence even after taking a plea deal for second-degree murder, which allowed her release based on time served, credit for good behavior, and the lengthy time she had spent in custody since her 2017 arrest.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg stated Keen-Warren “will always be an admitted convicted murderer,” despite her claims of innocence.
A Notorious Murder Plot from Florida’s Past
In a bizarre case that has captured public fascination for over three decades, Keen-Warren allegedly dressed as a clown and approached Marlene Warren at her home, carrying balloons. Witnesses, including Warren’s then-21-year-old son, Joseph Ahrens, recalled the clown handing her balloons before pulling out a gun and fatally shooting her.
Witnesses reported that one balloon bore the message “You’re the Greatest” and was traced back to a local Publix near Keen-Warren’s residence. A white Chrysler, identified as the presumed getaway car, was later found abandoned and contained fibers and other evidence reportedly linking it to Keen-Warren.
Decades-Old Evidence and Skepticism
Although authorities initially suspected Keen-Warren, she was not arrested until 2017 when advancements in DNA testing allegedly connected her to the car. Her attorney, Greg Rosenfeld, challenged the strength of the evidence, pointing out flaws in the DNA samples, including mixed male and female genetic markers, as well as limitations from the passage of time and the death of witnesses.
Keen-Warren’s legal team argued the plea deal was chosen due to the risk of a life sentence, though they maintained her innocence.
A Complicated Relationship with the Victim’s Husband
At the time of the murder, Sheila Keen-Warren was reportedly romantically involved with Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael Warren, her employer at his used car business. The two married in 2002 and later moved to Virginia, where they ran a restaurant. Though suspicions lingered, Michael Warren has never been charged in connection with his wife’s murder and has denied any involvement.
Despite Marlene’s concerns about her husband’s alleged affair and her fears for her own safety, investigators were unable to gather sufficient evidence for charges against him. Michael Warren previously served a prison sentence for unrelated charges of racketeering, grand theft, and odometer tampering, which his attorneys argued was unfairly extended due to suspicions surrounding his wife’s murder.
A Legal Conclusion with Lingering Questions
After decades of investigation, Keen-Warren’s release leaves lingering questions about the full circumstances of Marlene Warren’s murder. While some believe justice has been served, others, including Warren’s family, remain doubtful that the whole truth has come to light.
Keen-Warren’s release marks the end of a protracted case and one of the strangest and most infamous murder stories in Florida’s history. As Keen-Warren returns to her life, the legacy of the “killer clown” case endures, reminding the public of the dark complexities within seemingly closed cases.
