The Killer Clown's Freedom: 5 Shocking Facts About Sheila Keen-Warren's Release In 2024

The infamous "Killer Clown" case, a chilling true crime saga that captivated the nation for over three decades, reached its final, unexpected chapter in late 2024. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, the most significant and recent development is the release of Sheila Keen-Warren from prison, a move that followed a surprising plea deal in a case once thought destined for a high-profile trial. This article delves into the fresh details surrounding her freedom, the decades-long investigation, and the shocking events that led to the 1990 murder of Marlene Warren in Wellington, Florida.

The story of Sheila Keen-Warren is a complex web of infidelity, murder, and a 27-year cold case that hinged on forensic advancements. Her release, just 18 months after her guilty plea to second-degree murder, has reignited public interest and debate over the justice served for the victim, Marlene Warren, and the role of her later-husband, Michael Warren, in the entire tragedy. We explore the timeline, the evidence, and the five most shocking facts about the conclusion of this notorious case.

Biography and Profile of Sheila Keen-Warren

Sheila Keen-Warren's life became inextricably linked to one of Florida's most bizarre and tragic murder cases. Her personal history provides crucial context for the events that unfolded in 1990 and her eventual arrest nearly three decades later.

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• Full Name: Sheila Keen-Warren (also known as Sheila Keen)
• Approximate Age: 61-62 years old (as of her release in November 2024)
• Initial Residence: Wellington, Florida (at the time of the murder)
• Occupation in 1990: Worked at a local property repossession business owned by Michael Warren.
• First Marriage: Richard Keen (divorced in 2000).
• Second Marriage: Michael Warren (married in 2002), the husband of the murder victim, Marlene Warren.
• Arrest Date: September 26, 2017, in Washington County, Virginia, where she was living with Michael Warren.
• Plea Deal: Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in April 2023.
• Sentence: 12 years (with credit for time served and good behavior).
• Release Date: November 2, 2024.

The Chilling 1990 "Killer Clown" Murder

The crime that defined Sheila Keen-Warren's life occurred on May 26, 1990, in the affluent community of Wellington, Florida. The details are as sensational as they are disturbing, cementing the case's place in true crime lore.

The victim, 40-year-old Marlene Warren, was at her home when a white Chrysler LeBaron pulled into her driveway. A person dressed as a clown, complete with an orange wig and a painted smile, emerged from the car carrying two items: a bouquet of flowers and two foil balloons, one featuring the character Snow White.

When Marlene Warren answered the door, the clown handed her the gifts. As she accepted them, the clown pulled out a .38-caliber pistol and shot her in the face at point-blank range. The clown calmly walked back to the white car and drove away. Marlene Warren died two days later.

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Investigators immediately suspected the murder was connected to the victim’s husband, Michael Warren, and his ongoing affair with Sheila Keen, who worked for his company. Key pieces of evidence gathered at the time included:

• Witness accounts of the clown's vehicle, which was later found abandoned and reported stolen.
• Employees at a local costume shop and a flower shop who identified Sheila Keen as the woman who bought a clown costume and the specific balloons days before the murder.
• Fibers matching the clown's orange wig were found in Keen's car, which was later seized by police.

Despite the strong circumstantial evidence, no direct link could be established at the time, and the case went cold, leaving the "Killer Clown" a phantom figure in Florida's history.

The Cold Case Breakthrough and Unexpected Plea Deal

The case remained unsolved for 27 years, a haunting mystery for the victim's family and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Meanwhile, Sheila Keen and Michael Warren married in 2002 and moved to Tennessee, where they ran a restaurant.

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The breakthrough came in 2017, driven by advancements in forensic science and renewed police focus on the case. Investigators used improved DNA technology to re-examine the fibers and evidence collected from the scene and the getaway car. This new analysis definitively linked Sheila Keen-Warren to the crime, leading to her arrest in Virginia on September 26, 2017.

The anticipation for a full trial was high, but after years of delays (she spent five years in jail awaiting trial), the case took a dramatic and unexpected turn in April 2023.

The Shocking Plea Bargain:

In a move that avoided a lengthy, public trial, Sheila Keen-Warren, then 59, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The plea deal stipulated a 12-year sentence. Due to the five years she had already spent in jail awaiting trial, and with credit for good behavior, her actual time left to serve was drastically reduced to just 18 months.

The decision was controversial, but it brought a formal conviction and a sense of closure to the 33-year-old case, sparing the victim's family the ordeal of a full trial. This resolution, however, meant a significantly shorter prison term than many anticipated for such a heinous crime.

The November 2024 Release and Public Reaction

The most current and significant update in the Sheila Keen-Warren case is her release from the Florida Department of Corrections. On November 2, 2024, at the age of 61, she walked free from prison, having served only a fraction of the typical sentence for second-degree murder.

The swiftness of her release, facilitated by the plea deal, has sparked intense public discussion and media coverage. Many true crime enthusiasts and legal analysts expressed shock that the person responsible for the "Killer Clown" murder was back in society so quickly after decades of evading justice. The case is now frequently cited as a prime example of how plea bargaining can conclude even the most sensational cold cases.

Key Entities and Topical Authority: The case involves several key entities that anchor its topical authority in the true crime genre, including: Marlene Warren (the victim), Michael Warren (the husband/accomplice), Richard Keen (first husband), Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (investigating agency), State of Florida (prosecution), and the specific locations like Wellington, Florida, and Washington County, Virginia. The use of forensic DNA evidence and the concept of the 'cold case' are crucial LSI keywords that define the narrative.