5 Shocking Facts About The Marlene Warren 'Killer Clown' Murder And The Killer's Current Freedom
The murder of Marlene Warren in 1990 remains one of America's most bizarre and chilling cold cases, defined by the unforgettable image of a 'killer clown' delivering a fatal bouquet. This sensational crime, which occurred in the affluent community of Wellington, Florida, baffled investigators for decades until a breakthrough in DNA technology and a critical arrest finally brought the 27-year mystery to a close.
As of today, December 21, 2025, the case has entered a new and controversial chapter: the freedom of the convicted killer. The latest updates revolve around the shocking plea deal that led to the early release of the woman who would later marry Marlene Warren's husband, bringing the long and painful saga to a contentious conclusion.
Marlene Warren: A Biographical Profile
Marlene Mae McKinnon Warren was a Florida mother whose life was tragically cut short in a crime that shocked the nation. Her biography reveals a life rooted in the Midwest before her move to the Sunshine State.
- Full Name: Marlene Mae McKinnon Warren
- Date of Birth: April 15, 1950
- Place of Birth: Mount Clemens, Michigan
- Age at Death: 40 years old
- Date of Murder: May 26, 1990
- Location: Wellington, Palm Beach County, Florida
- Family: She was the mother of a son, Joe Ahrens, from her first marriage to John Ahrens. She was married to her second husband, Michael “Mike” Warren, at the time of her death.
- Circumstances: She was fatally shot after opening her front door to a person dressed as a clown who presented her with a basket of flowers and two balloons.
The Chilling Details of the Killer Clown Murder
The crime that took Marlene Warren's life was as theatrical as it was brutal, instantly capturing national attention and cementing its place in true crime lore.
The Fateful Morning of May 26, 1990
On the morning of the murder, Marlene Warren was having breakfast with her son, Joe Ahrens, at their Wellington home. A white Chrysler LeBaron pulled into the driveway, and a person dressed in a full clown costume—complete with an orange wig, red nose, and painted smile—approached the front door.
The clown was carrying a basket of flowers and two balloons. When Marlene Warren opened the door, the clown handed her the items. As she accepted them, the clown pulled out a gun and shot her in the face at point-blank range. The killer then calmly walked back to the white car and drove away.
The Immediate Suspects and the Cold Case
Investigators quickly focused on two primary suspects: Marlene's husband, Michael Warren, and a woman named Sheila Keen, who worked at Michael Warren's used car lot and was allegedly having an affair with him. Evidence gathered at the time included:
- Fibers from an orange wig found in Sheila Keen's apartment.
- Employees at a local costume shop and flower shop identifying Sheila Keen as the purchaser of the costume and flowers.
- Michael Warren having a history of financial problems and allegedly being verbally abusive to Marlene.
Despite the strong circumstantial evidence, no arrest was made, and the case went cold for 27 years. The couple, Michael Warren and Sheila Keen, married in 2002 and moved to Tennessee, where they owned a restaurant.
The Shocking Breakthrough and Sheila Keen Warren's Freedom
The cold case was finally reopened due to advances in forensic technology, specifically DNA testing, which allowed Palm Beach County authorities to re-examine the evidence.
The 2017 Arrest and DNA Evidence
In 2017, investigators used improved DNA testing to link Sheila Keen Warren, who had changed her name and was living a new life, to the evidence from the 1990 crime scene. She was arrested in Virginia and extradited to Florida to face charges of first-degree murder.
The Controversial Plea Deal and Release
After years of pre-trial delays, the case took an unexpected turn in May 2023. Sheila Keen Warren, then 59, accepted a plea deal from prosecutors.
- Plea: She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
- Sentence: She was sentenced to 12 years in state prison.
- Time Served: Due to the five years she had already spent in jail awaiting trial and good behavior credits, her actual prison time was drastically reduced.
The ultimate shock to the public and the victim's family came when Sheila Keen Warren, now 61, was released from prison on November 2, 2024, just 18 months after her guilty plea. This quick release, ending a three-decade-long murder case with a short prison term, remains a major point of contention and the most significant and current development in the Marlene Warren case as of December 21, 2025.
The plea deal was made due to concerns over the age and complexity of the case, the potential for a lengthy appeals process, and the risk of a full acquittal at trial. The prosecution's decision prioritized a guaranteed conviction for the murder of Marlene Warren, even if it meant a reduced sentence and a swift release for the "killer clown."
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