Ellen Murphy SVP, Deputy General Counsel | realtors.com
The case involving Sheila Keen-Warren, known as the "Killer Clown," has reached a significant milestone with her release from prison. This follows her guilty plea to the murder of Marlene Warren in 1990, which occurred at Warren's home in Wellington, Florida.
Sheila Keen-Warren was arrested in 2017 after DNA testing linked her to evidence found in a getaway car used during the crime. Nearly three decades earlier, she allegedly arrived at Marlene Warren's residence dressed as a clown, handed her balloons, and then shot her before fleeing.
At the time of the murder, Keen-Warren worked for Michael Warren, Marlene's husband, at his used car lot. Witnesses accused them of having an affair; both denied it. The two married 12 years later after Michael served time for unrelated charges.
In April 2023, Keen-Warren entered a plea deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty to second-degree murder while maintaining her innocence. Her lawyer explained that this decision was made to secure her release rather than face life imprisonment if convicted at trial.
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.” Meanwhile, Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren's attorney expressed relief over her release: “We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family.”
Marlene Warren’s son voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome: “There is no justice there,” he told People magazine. “It’s not fair. It wasn’t full closure.”
Joseph Ahrens, who witnessed his mother's murder as a child when a clown handed over balloons before shooting Marlene in the face recounted these events vividly.
The Wellington property where the incident occurred is situated in an affluent area and is currently valued at around $2.1 million. It features five bedrooms and four bathrooms across 5,380 square feet within Aero Club neighborhood—a private aeronautical community.
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