A Florida woman, Sheila Keen-Warren, who was infamously dubbed the “killer clown” for the 1990 murder of her lover’s wife, Marlene Warren, was released from prison over the weekend.
Keen-Warren, now 61, was freed after striking a plea deal last year, reducing her charge from first-degree to second-degree murder, a move that spared her from a life sentence.
In 2017, Keen-Warren was arrested in connection to Marlene Warren’s death, a cold case that had baffled investigators for decades.
According to officials from the Florida Department of Corrections, Keen-Warren was credited with time served and good behavior after beginning her 12-year sentence on May 16, 2023, allowing for her early release this past Saturday.
The 1990 murder became notorious due to its bizarre details: Keen-Warren allegedly disguised herself as a clown, wearing full clown makeup and a costume, to approach Marlene Warren’s home in Palm Beach County.
She arrived bearing flowers and balloons and knocked on the door. As Marlene Warren opened the door to accept the “gifts,” Keen-Warren shot her in the face, killing her instantly. Witnesses reported that Marlene’s last words were a comment on the balloons, saying, “How nice,” before being fatally shot.
At the time of the murder, Keen-Warren and Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael Warren, were involved in an affair, a relationship that ultimately led to marriage after Marlene’s death.
Despite pleading guilty to the reduced charge, Keen-Warren continues to claim she is innocent. Her attorney, Greg Rosenfeld, maintained her innocence, stating that Keen-Warren “did not commit this crime.”
Prosecutors faced several challenges in building their case against her, including deteriorating DNA evidence, dead witnesses, and complications with key pieces of evidence. Among these was a car allegedly used in the getaway, where orange fibers and DNA—both male and female—were found.
Furthermore, two witnesses, including Marlene’s son who was present at the time of the murder, doubted the car belonged to the shooter.
State Attorney Dave Aronberg, however, expressed a contrasting view of her release. In a statemen, he insisted, “Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life.”
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Keen-Warren’s case is a haunting reminder of a bizarre and tragic crime that continues to cast a long shadow over all involved, despite her early release.
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