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Sheila Keen-Warren is a convicted murderer currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for murdering Marlene Warren in 1990. The case remained unsolved for nearly three decades before advanced DNA testing helped investigators finally connect Sheila Keen-Warren to Marlene Warren's murder in 2017.
The case was infamously dubbed the "Killer Clown" murder case since Sheila Keen-Warren had donned the attire of a clown when she murdered Marlene Warren. Sheila remained elusive for years after the murder since DNA testing was not advanced back in the 1990s.
There was no other conclusive evidence to link her to the murder and she was also not treated as a prime suspect initially. Currently, Sheila Keen-Warren is serving a 12-year prison sentence at Florida’s Gadsden Correctional Facility.
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The details of the chilling case are explored in the upcoming episode of 48 Hours on Investigation Discovery. The episode titled Murder by Clown follows the murder of Marlene Warren at the hands of Sheila Keen-Warren. The official synopsis reads:
"Florida 1990, Marlene Warren was shot and killed by Sheila Keen Warren who was dressed as a clown to deliver balloons and flowers to Marlene's home. Marlene's son witnessed the shooting. The case went cold for decades until it was solved by DNA in 2017."
The episode is scheduled to re-air on Investigation Discovery on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Where is Sheila Keen-Warren now?
Sheila Keen-Warren is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence at Florida’s Gadsden Correctional Facility. She was arrested for the murder of Marlene Warren in 2017. Sheila committed the crime back in 1990.
After her arrest in 2017, Sheila spent almost six years in jail awaiting trial before entering a guilty plea in 2023 at the age of 56. She admitted to killing Marlene Warren in the second degree, notwithstanding her early denials of guilt. She accepted a plea bargain, which resulted in a reduced sentence.
She acknowledged that she had shot Marlene Warren while posing as the Killer Clown. As per a report by the Guardian, Sheila Keen would have been given a life term for the murder of Marlene Warren if not for the plea agreement. She can be released from prison within two years having already served six years behind bars while awaiting trial.
How did the police trace Sheila Keen as Marlene Warren's killer?
Marlene Warren was a 40-year-old businesswoman living in Florida. She was enjoying breakfast with her son Ahrens and his friends when Sheila Warren came to her door, dressed as a clown. Sheila showed up to her door with two balloons and a basket of flowers. When Marlene opened the door, Sheila shot her at point-blank range, resulting in grave injuries.
Her son Ahrens witnessed the shooting and informed authorities that the clown arrived in a white Chrysler LeBaron. After calling for emergency assistance, Marlene Warren was taken to the hospital, where she passed away two days later. The authorities engaged in a thorough investigation ensuing the murder and put out an extensive hunt for the Killer Clown.
An abandoned Chrysler LeBaron was tracked down to a parking lot, a few days after Marlene's murder. The police found a wig inside the vehicle, pointing toward the Killer Clown. They also found strands of brown human hair that could not be tested at the time due to a lack of technology.
Marlene's husband Mike Warren was initially suspected of the murder. He was having an alleged affair with Sheila at the time. Both Sheila and Mike denied any involvement in the murder. Mike had a strong alibi to support his case.
However, a costume store attendant did identify Sheila as the person who purchased the clown costume. There was not enough evidence to link Sheila to the costume (which was not found). The case thus went cold for more than two decades.
Authorities re-opened the case in 2014 and linked Sheila's DNA to that of the hair found in the car back in 1990. She was then arrested for the murder of Marlene Warren in 2017 and sentenced to prison in 2023.
Explore all the details about Sheila Keen-Warren on the upcoming episode of 48 Hours on ID. It is scheduled to air on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 10 pm ET.
