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The Killer Clown: Solving the Cold Case of Marlene Warren

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The Killer Clown Murder: Unmasking the 1990 Marlene Warren Case and Sheila Keen Warren's Shocking Release

 

Few true crime stories blend the macabre whimsy of a circus performer with the cold brutality of murder quite like the Marlene Warren killer clown case. On a sunny afternoon in Wellington, Florida, a mother of two answered her door to what she thought was a cheerful surprise—only to be gunned down by a figure straight out of a nightmare. For 27 years, this Florida cold case haunted investigators, the victim's family, and true crime enthusiasts alike. It wasn't until 2017 that authorities cracked the case, arresting Sheila Keen Warren, the woman who would become synonymous with the "killer clown." But in a twist that left many reeling, Sheila's story didn't end behind bars. Just last year, she walked free after a controversial plea deal. Dive into this comprehensive timeline of the Marlene Warren murder, the relentless investigation, the capture, the trial, and the divisive release that continues to spark debate.


The Day the Clown Came Calling: The Gruesome Murder of Marlene Warren

It was May 26, 1990, a Saturday alive with the promise of Memorial Day weekend. Marlene Warren, 40, was the epitome of suburban bliss: a devoted wife to car salesman Mike Warren, mother to 21-year-old Joseph Airey and a younger son, and co-owner of the bustling Orange Blossom Mall used car lot in West Palm Beach. That morning, she'd been to the grocery store, picking up supplies for a family barbecue. Back home at their quiet Wellington residence, she pulled her white Mercedes into the open garage around 2:30 p.m.

 

What happened next would etch itself into Florida's darkest true crime lore. A white convertible Chrysler LeBaron—stolen from a nearby rental agency earlier that day—pulled up to the driveway. Out stepped a figure that could have wandered from a children's party: a clown with garish white face paint, an orange yarn wig, a polka-dot jumpsuit adorned with silver pom-poms, and oversized shoes. In one hand, a bouquet of carnations and two balloons; in the other, nothing visible at first.

 

Marlene, ever the gracious host, smiled and waved. In a flash, the clown raised a .38-caliber revolver and fired a single shot directly into Marlene's face. Her stunned son Joe, who was with friends at his mother's home watched Marlene collapse in a pool of her own blood. She would die two days later after being taken off life-support.

 

The clown? They sprinted back to a white LeBaron and sped off. This wasn't random violence; it was a meticulously planned hit, disguised in absurdity. Why a clown? Investigators would later theorize it was to throw off witnesses. But for the Warren family, the image of Marlene—vibrant, loving, gunned down at her own doorstep—became an eternal scar.

 

 The Trail Goes Cold: Early Investigation and Lingering Suspicions

 In the chaotic hours after the Marlene Warren shooting, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) swarmed the scene. Neighbors reported glimpsing the white car but no clear view of the killer's face. Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured grainy images of the clown's loping gait and the car's hasty escape—tech too primitive then for facial recognition.

 

Mike Warren, grief-stricken, told detectives the family had no enemies. But whispers soon surfaced. Marlene and Mike's marriage wasn't picture-perfect; rumors of infidelity swirled around his employee, Sheila Keen, a 28-year-old repo girl at the car lot.


Post-murder, Mike sold the business, packed up the boys, and relocated to Virginia—where Sheila mysteriously appeared, taking a job nearby. By 2002, they married, settling into a new life as if the past had evaporated.

 

Investigators interviewed Sheila early on. She claimed ignorance, but her alibi—a solo car repo—wasn't air-tight. A witness placed her buying clown makeup and a similar wig at a local party store days before. Fibers from the costume matched material from her car. Yet, without hard DNA or a confession, the case stalled. By 1995, it was officially cold, filed away as one of Florida's most bizarre unsolved homicides.

 

Joe Ahrey, now the de facto head of the family at 21, kept the pressure on. "My mom deserved better," he'd say in interviews, vowing to see justice. For 27 years, tips trickled in—psychic visions, false confessions—but nothing stuck.

 

Cracking the Code: The 2017 Breakthrough in the Killer Clown Cold Case

Fast-forward to 2014: PBSO's Cold Case Unit, bolstered by modern forensics, dusted off the files. Lead detectives and the state attorney spearheaded a reinvigorated probe. They re-interviewed witnesses, re-tested evidence, and applied cutting-edge tech to old clues.

 

The smoking gun? DNA. In 2016, analysts extracted partial profiles from the exact clown wig purchased. A familial match pointed to Sheila Keen Warren, now 55 and living quietly in Tennessee with Mike. Further tests revealed her genetic material.

 

Motive crystallized: Jealousy. Sheila and Mike's affair had been an open secret. Killing Marlene cleared the path for their future. "It was a crime of passion wrapped in a carnival costume."

 

On September 27, 2017, after a grand jury indicted her for first-degree murder, deputies arrested Sheila in Abingdon, Virginia. Extradition battles ensued—she fought tooth and nail—but by October, she was in Florida custody. The nation watched as the killer clown case solved headlines exploded, reigniting fascination with this solved cold case.

 

From Arrest to Alford Plea: Sheila Keen Warren's Trial and Conviction

Sheila's trial was a media circus—fitting, given the crime. Charged with first-degree murder, she faced life without parole. Defense attorney Joe Hurley painted her as a scapegoat, citing "junk science" in the DNA and gait evidence. Prosecutors countered with a mountain of circumstantial proof: phone records showing Sheila scouting the neighborhood pre-murder, her purchase of the exact balloon type, and Mike's suspicious insurance payout post-killing.

 

Delays piled up—COVID-19 lockdowns, Sheila's health woes (including a brain tumor diagnosis). Then, in April 2023, a bombshell: Sheila entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder. Under this deal, she maintained innocence but acknowledged the evidence's strength, avoiding a risky trial. Sentenced to 20 years, Florida's gain-time laws slashed it to about 12—minus seven years already served pre-trial.

 

"It was justice, but not the closure we craved." Joseph Ahrey told reporters. The plea sparked outrage: Was it a cop-out, or a pragmatic end to a 33-year saga?

 

The Controversial Release: Sheila Keen Warren Walks Free in 2024

If the plea was contentious, Sheila's release ignited fury. On November 2, 2024, after serving just 18 months, the 61-year-old was sprung from Lowell Correctional Institution. Crediting gain time for good behavior and education, plus pre-trial detention, her effective sentence evaporated. Her attorney, Michael Rosenfeld, hailed it as "vindication," insisting, "She did not commit this crime."

 

Documentaries like Investigation Discovery's Killer Clown: Murder by Clown, and ABC's 20/20 revisit the case, probing if justice was truly served.  


Reflections on a Clown's Legacy: Justice, Motive, and the Human Cost

The Marlene Warren murder endures as a masterclass in cold case perseverance—and a cautionary tale of legal leniency. What drove Sheila Keen Warren, a seemingly ordinary woman, to don greasepaint and pull the trigger? Experts point to obsession: Her affair with Mike wasn't just romance; it was a rewrite of her own unhappy life. Yet, in unmasking her, we see the ripple effects—Joe's lifelong grief, a family's shattered trust.

 

This case reminds us: Even the most outlandish crimes leave traces. DNA, video, and dogged detectives turned a clown into a convict. But as Sheila rebuilds in freedom, questions linger. Was the plea a mercy or a miscarriage?


Sources used for this podcast:

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  • Crime Timeline: "The Killer Clown of Wellington"crimetimelines​

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  • Oxygen: "Marlene Warren Killed by Clown at Florida Home"oxygen​

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·       Reddit user. (2018, Sep 24). TIL that 28 years ago, a Floridian woman opened... [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/9chzzv/til_that_28_years_ago_a_floridian_woman_opened/

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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organizations. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we do not claim to be legal or medical experts. Listener discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of some content, including descriptions of violence and criminal behavior.

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Copyright & OwnershipThis podcast episode, including all audio, video, and written content, is the property of Hitched 2 Homicide and its creators, © 2025 Kris Calvert & Rob Pottorf of RP Music, Inc. All rights reserved.

Do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this content without express written permission.

For licensing, press inquiries, or collaboration requests, contact: kris@hitched2homicide.com

For more true crime episodes, visit: www.Hitched2Homicide.com

Thanks for listening and remember… Southern charm won’t save you from true crime.

 

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All information contained in this audio podcast or video presentation is provided for entertainment purposes only. The authors leave any and all conclusions to individual members of the audience. The author offers no statements of fact beyond those available through diligent private research or through information freely available in the public record. To the extent that pending or settled criminal matters or crime or possible crimes, are discussed in this audio podcast or video presentation, all parties or defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. To the extent that any pending or settled civil matters are discussed in this video presentation, all parties or defendants are presumed not liable unless proven liable in a court of law. Copyright for material incorporated and presented under Fair Use is retained by the original author or copyright holder where applicable. Our cases are researched using open source and archive materials, and the subjects are real crimes and people. We strive to produce each episode with respect to the victims, their families and loved ones. At Hitched 2 Homicide we are committed to always discussing how victims lived, and not just how they died. All podcast information is gleaned from sources given. All opinions in the podcast are solely of Hitched 2 Homicide and are for entertainment purposes only.

Listener discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of some content, including descriptions of violence and criminal behavior.

Copyright & Ownership: This podcast episode, including all audio, video, and written content, is the property of Hitched 2 Homicide and its creators, © 2025 Kris Calvert & Rob Pottorf of RP Music, Inc. All rights reserved.

Do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this content without express written permission.

For licensing, press inquiries, or collaboration requests, contact: kris@hitched2homicide.com

For more true crime episodes, visit: www.Hitched2Homicide.com

Thanks for listening and remember… Southern charm won’t save you from true crime.

THIS PODCAST IS FILMED AT RP STUDIOS, INC.

© 2025 RP MUSIC, INC. FOR HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE

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