In a case that has captivated and bewildered Florida for decades, Sheila Keen-Warren, the woman convicted of dressing as a clown and murdering her future husband’s wife in 1990, has been released from prison.
Keen-Warren, now 61, was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Marlene Warren. Despite maintaining her innocence, she accepted a plea deal to avoid a potential life sentence. With credit for time served and good behavior, she was released on Saturday after serving seven years.
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The case, bizarre even by Florida standards, dates back to 1990 when Marlene Warren was fatally shot in the face by a person dressed as a clown who delivered balloons to her door.
Keen-Warren, who worked for Marlene’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot, became a suspect early on due to an alleged affair with Michael. However, she wasn’t arrested until 2017 when advancements in DNA technology linked her to evidence found in the getaway car.
Despite the conviction, Keen-Warren’s attorney maintains her innocence, stating that she only accepted the plea deal to secure an earlier release.
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The case has been marked by intrigue and unanswered questions. Marlene Warren’s family reportedly suspected her husband was having an affair and that she feared for her safety if she left him. Michael and Sheila eventually married in 2002 and moved to Virginia, where they ran a restaurant.
While Keen-Warren is now free, the shadow of the “killer clown” case will likely follow her.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg stated, “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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