Did Sheila Keen-Warren confess to the murder of Marlene Warren? Details explored ahead of The Real CSI: Miami

The Real CSI: Miami season one episode 10 is going to throw light on the brutal homicide of Marlene Warren by Sheila Keen-Warren, a case that went unsolved for decades.

However, in 2017, Sheila Keen-Warren was arrested for the murder of Marlene Warren. The arrest was based on DNA evidence found inside the killer's car, which matched the brown hair found at Sheila's home, speculated to be Sheila's. In 2023 Sheila Keen-Warren confessed to the murder of Marlene Warren and has been serving her 12-year prison sentence to date.

The Real CSI: Miami season one episode 10 which will highlight this case yet again airs on CBS on September 4, 2024, at 9 pm EST. The episode is titled Killer Clown and the official synopsis for the same reads as follows:

"A mysterious clown shoots Marlene Warren to death at her front door, in front of her young son; nearly three decades later, advancements in DNA technology and forensic analysis revive the case."

Previously, 48 Hours on ID, covered the same homicide.

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Shelia-Keen Warren was arrested for killing Marlene Warren

On May 26, 1990, Marlene Warren was shot at her doorstep by a 6-foot-tall person, who came outside her residence, disguised as a clown. As the clown rang the bell, Marlene went to open the door and got shot several times. Her son Joe was the first person to find her in a bloodied state after which he called 911, as shown previously on 48 Hours on ID.

Two days after staying on life support, Marlene died. On initial investigation, it was found that the person who came to assassinate her was 6’1, had orange hair, was skinny with a red nose and a big orange smile, in a clown disguise.

The first on the suspect list was Marlene Warren’s husband Mike Warren. However, Mike had an alibi and was cleared. However, the detectives soon learned that the husband was having an affair with Sheila Keen.

Reportedly, detectives found a local store from where a clown suit was bought 2 days prior to the killing and the shop owner revealed that the person who bought the costume was Shelia Keen. The detectives also located the white Chrysler LeBaron car, that the assassin had come in. There were orange synthetic fibers found inside the car and also brown hair.

When Sheila Keen’s house was searched, orange fiber was found inside her closet. Also, the brown hair found in the car matched the one found in Sheila’s apartment. In 1990, upon DNA Testing, the sample matched however it wasn’t enough to arrest Sheila as DNA results weren’t so reliable back then.

The gun used to do the killing and the actual costume were never found.

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The final arrest of Sheila Keen-Warren

As shown previously on 48 Hours on ID, after 27 long years, finally, in 2017, Sheila Keen-Warren was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. With advancements in DNA technology, the brown hair in the car matched with Sheila’s. On March 26, 2017, 27 years after Marlene Warren was murdered, Sheila was charged and arrested.

On April 25, 2023, 6 years after her arrest, Sheila Keen-Warren reached a plea deal. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. She is expected to come out of prison in 2025.

After her guilty plea, Sheila Keen-Warren's attorney told 48 Hours that,

"Sheila did not commit this murder. It was very difficult for her to admit to committing a crime that she did not commit...when you’re told you could be home…it’s kind of a no brainer...Sheila’s going home to Tennessee. She is going back to her life…”

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To know more about this case, watch The Real CSI: Miami season one episode 10.