On a rainy Saturday morning over Memorial Day weekend in 1990, a clown pulled into a driveway in Wellington, Florida, carrying a basket of carnations and two silver balloons. When Marlene Warren opened the door, the clown shot her in the face, walked back to the car, and drove away. It would take 27 years to make an arrest, and 33 to reach a conviction. Even then, the case didn’t end the way anyone expected.
Who Was Marlene Warren?
Marlene Warren was 40 years old, a mother of two, and by her son’s description “a ball of energy.” She and her husband, Michael, ran a used car lot in West Palm Beach called Bargain Motors. The part of the business that was really Marlene’s was their rental properties: about 17 duplexes and apartments, most in the Westgate neighborhood, worth more than $1 million. Family members said she hated evicting tenants who couldn’t pay.
The Warrens lived in Aero Club, a fly-in community where many homes have airplane hangars instead of garages. Marlene loved art, and as a teenager she painted portraits of clowns.
About a year and a half before her death, her older son, John, was killed in a car accident.
May 26, 1990: The Clown at the Door
That morning, Marlene’s son Joe, then 21 and in a leg cast, was in the living room with friends after breakfast. Around 10:45, a white Chrysler LeBaron convertible with no license plate rolled into the driveway. The clown who got out wore an orange wig, a red nose, white face paint and white gloves. They carried a basket of red and white carnations and two balloons: one reading “You’re the Greatest,” the other printed with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Everyone assumed it was a get-well gift for Joe. Marlene went to the door. Joe remembers her last words as “Oh, how pretty.” His girlfriend remembers “Oh, how sweet.”
The clown fired a single shot into her face, then walked back to the LeBaron and drove off. Joe called 911, then chased the car in his mother’s new car until he lost it. Marlene was taken to Palms West Hospital and died two days later, on May 28, 1990.
The Trail: A Costume, Balloons and a Stolen LeBaron
The killer left a trail:
- The costume. The evening of the shooting, a West Palm Beach costume shop called detectives. Two days earlier, a woman had come in at closing time and paid cash for a clown suit, an orange wig, makeup and a red nose, and asked for extra face whitener.
- The balloons and flowers. Investigators traced the balloons to the only Publix in Palm Beach County that sold them. Store records showed a matching purchase at 9:22 that morning, about 90 minutes before the shooting.
- The car. The LeBaron was found four days later in a Winn-Dixie parking lot in Royal Palm Beach, with orange wig-like fibers and brown human hair inside. It had disappeared six weeks earlier from a Payless Car Rental lot. The renters had been tricked into leaving it there by a phone book ad that featured the word “Payless” but belonged to the Warrens’ own rental company.
The Husband and the Repo Woman
At the time of the shooting, Michael Warren was on the interstate with friends, headed to Calder Race Course. But Marlene had told family that if anything ever happened to her, her husband would be responsible. She suspected another woman, and relatives said she was ready to leave him.
Within days, tips and Bargain Motors employees pointed detectives to Sheila Keen, a 27-year-old who repossessed cars for the dealership with her estranged husband. Neighbors at her apartment thought she and Michael were married, and he was paying her rent. Costume shop clerks tentatively picked her photo from a lineup. Both Sheila and Michael denied an affair.
Detectives searched her apartment and found orange fibers, but no gun and no costume. Prosecutors decided there wasn’t enough to charge her.
Decades Without an Arrest
Investigators did find something else: fraud at Michael Warren’s businesses. He was convicted in 1992 of racketeering, grand theft and odometer tampering. The sentencing judge called it “selective prosecution” driven by the unsolved murder, but an appeals court ordered prison time, and Warren served from 1994 to 1997.
By 1991, detectives were saying publicly that Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were their two suspects. Without stronger physical evidence, the case went cold.
“Debbie”: A New Name and a New Life
In 2002, Michael Warren married Sheila Keen in Las Vegas. The couple moved to the Tennessee–Virginia line, ran a popular drive-thru restaurant called the Purple Cow in Kingsport, Tennessee, and built a quiet life. Sheila dyed her hair blonde and went by “Debbie.” Their friends had no idea where they’d come from.
The DNA Breakthrough and the 2017 Arrest
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case around 2014. New FBI testing on a hair from the LeBaron, which still had its root attached, found that Sheila could not be excluded as the source. A forensic review also turned up an orange fiber tangled in a balloon ribbon from the crime scene.
A grand jury indicted Sheila Keen-Warren for first-degree murder on August 31, 2017. On September 26, 2017, deputies stopped the couple’s SUV a few minutes from their Virginia home and arrested her. Michael Warren was not charged.
The Defense’s Case
Sheila Keen-Warren pleaded not guilty and spent more than five years in jail awaiting trial. Her lawyers made serious arguments:
- Witnesses described a shooter around six feet tall, and most said the clown was a man.
- Joe had told reporters in 1991 that the getaway car was a hardtop, not the convertible police recovered.
- The DNA evidence was far from conclusive.
- Evidence had been stored in damaged bags for years.
- A file of clown-sighting tips went missing for years before it turned up misfiled.
Then, in 2020, the crime scene investigator who had collected the key fiber evidence died.
The Plea Deal and Release
On April 25, 2023, weeks before trial, Sheila Keen-Warren pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 12-year sentence. Joe Ahrens approved the deal; prosecutors said decades of lost witnesses and evidence had made a conviction uncertain. Her attorney maintained she was innocent and took the deal to avoid a possible life sentence.
Because she was sentenced under 1990 Florida law, which allowed generous credit for good behavior, she was released on November 2, 2024, after about 18 months in state prison.
Where the Case Stands Today
Michael Warren has never been charged in connection with Marlene’s death and has always maintained that neither he nor Sheila was involved. The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office has said it would file charges if new evidence ever points to someone else.
For Marlene’s family, the answer has been settled for a long time. And her mother, who kept a room full of clown paintings, including ones Marlene made as a teenager, put it best: she didn’t hate clowns. She just hated one.
Listen to our full coverage on this case on our podcast, Crime Clueless, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Can’t get enough? Try these next.
If the Marlene Warren case had you hooked, these five cases from the Crime Clueless archive hit some of the same notes: love triangles, disguised killers, and justice that took decades to arrive.
- Sherri Rasmussen. A young newlywed is killed in her Los Angeles home in 1986, and the case sits cold for more than 20 years. Then a DNA test points to someone no one expected: her husband’s ex-girlfriend, an LAPD detective. Read more about this case here, or listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Betty Gore. In 1980, a Texas mother is killed with an axe in her own home. The woman who did it was her friend from church, and the one who’d been having an affair with her husband. Read more about this case here, or listen to Part 1 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Additional blog posts: Blog Part 2, Blog Part 3
- Missy Bevers. A fitness instructor arrives early to teach a class at a Texas church in 2016. Security cameras capture someone moving through the building in full police-style tactical gear, face hidden. Like the clown at Marlene’s door, it’s a disguise that leaves almost nothing to go on. Read more about this case here, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Gary Triano. A Tucson developer is killed by a pipe bomb in his car at a country club in 1996. It takes more than 15 years to bring his ex-wife to justice for hiring the killer. Read more about this case here, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Christy Mirack. A young teacher is killed in her Pennsylvania home in 1992. Twenty-five years later, genetic genealogy finally names her killer, a man hiding in plain sight as a local DJ. Read more about this case here, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Resources:
Newspapers (Newspapers.com archive)
Albers, R. R. (1990, October 27). Racketeering, auto theft charges filed: Slain woman’s mate arrested. The Miami Herald, 100. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635695915/
Albers, R. R. (1990, October 27). Murder victim’s spouse faces theft charge. The Miami Herald, 109. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635696123/
Arrest in 1990 “clown killing.” (2017, September 29). Tampa Bay Times, T11. https://www.newspapers.com/image/365423249/
Associated Press. (1990, June 29). Hospital files lien for bill of clown victim. The Tampa Tribune, 22. https://www.newspapers.com/image/337992106/
Associated Press. (1990, September 7). Killing clown could be linked to victim’s husband. Florida Today, 24. https://www.newspapers.com/image/176555193/
Baltz, H. (2022, December 31). The story of the clown murder in Wellington: Victim’s 21-year-old son looked clown in the eye. The Palm Beach Post, B1, B3. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1231355583/
“Devoted” family of slain woman has had brushes with the law. (1990, June 6). The Palm Beach Post, 20. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132422054/
DiMichele, A., & Schutz, D. (2023, May 6). Uncertainty on evidence prompted killer clown plea deal. Orlando Sentinel, A4. https://www.newspapers.com/image/957135653/
Duret, D., Jacoby, K., & Winston, H. (2018, April 14). Documents give deepest look yet at 1990 case. The Palm Beach Post, A1, A12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/421208276/
Folks, M. (1992, May 26). Clown case still mystery after 2 years. South Florida Sun Sentinel, 16. https://www.newspapers.com/image/229722821/
Folks, M. (1992, August 8). Car agent convicted of fraud. South Florida Sun Sentinel, 15. https://www.newspapers.com/image/238461591/
Folks, M. (1992, November 11). Judge rips state for pursuing case. South Florida Sun Sentinel, 17. https://www.newspapers.com/image/238457487/
Folks, M. (1994, March 25). Ex-auto dealer resentenced. South Florida Sun Sentinel, 18. https://www.newspapers.com/image/238992653/
Francalancia, A. (2000, May 26). New DNA tests could solve ‘90 killer clown case. The Palm Beach Post, 6, 153. https://www.newspapers.com/image/134233012/
Freeman, M., & McMahon, P. (2018, April 15). Killer clown probe used DNA for arrest. The Florida Times-Union, 13. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1269374465/
Freeman, M., & Trischitta, L. (2017, September 28). After 27 years, clown case ended fast. South Florida Sun Sentinel, A1, A6. https://www.newspapers.com/image/342814761/
Kozlowski, R. (1990, May 30). Murder involving clown well-planned, police say. The Palm Beach Post, 23, 29. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132428290/
Kozlowski, R. (1990, June 6). Police inspect victim’s phone records in clown slaying. The Palm Beach Post, 10. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132422044/
Kozlowski, R. (1990, November 18). Warren says police harassing him over wife’s death. The Palm Beach Post, 31, 47. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132740428/
Kozlowski, R. (1991, May 24). Husband, woman still suspects year after clown killing. The Palm Beach Post, 148, 152. https://www.newspapers.com/image/134074506/
Link between stolen car, firm probed. (1990, June 2). The Miami Herald, 93. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635715615/
Marshall, B. (2017, May 26). The Wellington clown murder. The Palm Beach Post, D1, D5. https://www.newspapers.com/image/305604595/
McCreery, P. (1990, October 28). Husband of woman shot by clown surrenders on racketeering charges. Boca Raton News, 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/862159006/
Mitchell, B. (1990, June 2). Suspicious say: “Send away the clowns.” The Miami Herald, 93. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635715615/
Neal, D. J. (2023, April 28). Woman accused of being Florida “killer clown” pleads guilty. The Bradenton Herald, A6. https://www.newspapers.com/image/954757098/
Olmeda, R., Alanez, T., & Freeman, M. (2018, November 4). 27 years later, suspected killer clown faces justice. South Florida Sun Sentinel, B1, B4. https://www.newspapers.com/image/501669431/
Phillips, H. (2023, April 26). Woman pleads to 2nd-degree murder in 1990 death. The Palm Beach Post, A1, A6. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1234494714/
Plunkett, J. A. (1993, December 30). Lesser crimes mean jail for murder suspect. The Miami Herald, 224. https://www.newspapers.com/image/638725768/
Rozsa, L. (1990, May 30). No motive in clown shooting: Detectives visit costume stores. The Miami Herald, 77–78. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635534061/
Rozsa, L. (1991, February 3). Clown killing suspect: Cops out to get me. The Miami Herald, 36, 398. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635624431/
Rozsa, L. (1991, May 24). Detectives: We know who clown killer is. The Miami Herald, 81. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635495955/
Somerville, S. (1990, November 11). Woman couldn’t be killer clown, kin say. The Palm Beach Post, 5, 13. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132461387/
Spencer, T. (2023, April 27). Florida “killer clown” case finally ends with plea deal. Citrus County Chronicle, A5. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1290348456/
Stanley, T. L., & Di Paola, J. (1990, June 7). Police have no answers for clown victim’s mom. South Florida Sun Sentinel, 23. https://www.newspapers.com/image/238183548/
Wellington man freed after posting bail. (1990, October 31). Boca Raton News, 26. https://www.newspapers.com/image/862162839/
Whigham, J., II. (2024, November 9). Wellington “clown” murder: Woman who pleaded guilty free from prison. Palm Beach Daily News, A5. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1236586519/
Whoriskey, P. (1990, September 6). Woman investigated in “clown” murder: Apartment searched for link to flowers, costume. The Palm Beach Post, 1, 33. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132426030/
Winston, H. (2017, September 27). Arrest made in Wellington cold-case clown murder. The Palm Beach Post, A1, A15. https://www.newspapers.com/image/343441626/
Winston, H. (2021, January 6). Defense attacks evidence in ‘90 clown murder case. The Palm Beach Post, A1, A20. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1242665867/
Zeman, D. (1990, May 27). Masked clown shoots woman at her home. The Miami Herald, 33, 625. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635535735/
Online news and broadcast sources
Alanez, T. (2017, September 27). Killer clown unmasked in 27-year-old cold case. Officer (reprinted from South Florida Sun Sentinel). https://www.officer.com/investigations/forensics/news/20977122/police-say-that-killer-clown-unmasked-in-cold-case-murder-after-27-years
Associated Press. (2017, September 28). 27 years later, arrest is made in killer-clown case. The Spokesman-Review. 27 years later, arrest is made in killer-clown case
Associated Press. (2024, November 2). Florida’s convicted killer clown released from prison for the murder of her husband’s then-wife. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/floridas-convicted-killer-clown-released-prison-murder-husbands-115429070
Baltz, H. (2025). True crime clown murder: Wellington woman shot to death by husband’s girlfriend 35 years ago. The Palm Beach Post (via Yahoo News). Florida “killer clown” murder: Wellington woman killed 35 years ago
CBS Miami. (2017, September). “How nice”: Last words of woman shot by clown in 1990. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/miami/news/clown-killer-victim-parents-cold-case
CBS Miami. (2017, September). Killer clown cold case cracked: Mistress arrested in 1990 murder. Killer Clown Cold Case Cracked: Mistress Arrested In 1990 Murder – CBS Miami
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CBS12 News. (2023). Final evidence hearing before killer clown trial and the car. WPEC. Final evidence hearing before killer clown trial and the car
Court TV. (2022). Defense attorneys for killer clown suspect want to know what 1999 evidence audit shows. Defense attorneys for Killer Clown suspect want to know what 1999 evidence audit shows | Court TV
Fox News. (2022). Florida judge on “killer clown” case mulls use of alleged costume, key evidence as trial looms. Florida judge on ‘Killer Clown’ case mulls use of alleged costume, key evidence as trial looms | Fox News
Fox News. (2023). Florida “killer clown” case: Man copped to 1990 murder decades before Sheila Keen-Warren arrest, defense says. Florida ‘Killer Clown’ case: Man copped to 1990 murder decades before Sheila Keen-Warren arrest, defense says | Fox News
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Neal, D. J. (2023, April 25). Woman accused of being Florida “killer clown” pleads guilty. She’ll be out by 2026. Miami Herald (via Yahoo News). https://news.yahoo.com/woman-accused-being-florida-killer-232324650.html
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Times-News. (2017, September). Former Purple Cow co-owner charged in 1990 Florida murder. Kingsport Times-News. https://www.timesnews.net/news/crime/former-purple-cow-co-owner-charged-in-1990-florida-murder/article_e7f9e11f-d851-5f5f-826b-8344d2d97e70.html
Times-News. (2023, April). Former Kingsport restaurant owner pleads guilty in “killer clown” case. Kingsport Times-News. https://www.timesnews.net/news/crime/updated-former-kingsport-restaurant-owner-pleads-guilty-in-killer-clown-case/article_c992e51e-e39a-11ed-99b0-2b89d2453250.html
Van Sant, P. (2023, October 28; updated 2025, December 16). After three decades, Florida “killer clown” case ends with unexpected twist. CBS News, 48 Hours. Marlene Warren murder: Florida “killer clown” case ends with unexpected twist after three decades – CBS News
WJHL. (2017, September 27). Accused killer clown to be extradited to Florida; son of victim says he’s “happy.” https://www.wjhl.com/news/accused-killer-clown-to-be-extradited-to-florida-son-of-victim-says-hes-happy/amp
WPEC. (2018, April). Suspect made drunken confession to clown killing, records show. Suspect made drunken confession to clown killing, records show
WPTV. (2023). Son of killer clown victim “relieved” following Sheila Keen-Warren’s plea deal. Son of killer clown victim ‘relieved’ following Sheila Keen-Warren’s plea deal
Further Reading & Watching
Watch
- The Killer Clown: Murder on the Doorstep (SundanceTV, 2025). A three-part docuseries with Marlene’s son, Joe Ahrens, investigators, and attorneys. Streaming on Sundance Now and AMC+.
- 48 Hours: “The Clown Did It” (CBS, 2018; updated 2023). Peter Van Sant’s investigation, including the through-the-door interview with Michael Warren. Available on Paramount+ and CBS News.
- 20/20 (ABC, May 2023). A two-hour special that aired after the plea, with Joe Ahrens. Available on Hulu.
- People Magazine Investigates: “Sex. Clowns. Murder.” (Investigation Discovery, 2024). Available on Max and discovery+.
- Snapped (Oxygen). Episode on the Marlene Warren case.
Read
- After three decades, Florida “killer clown” case ends with unexpected twist, CBS News / 48 Hours. The most complete single account of the case.
- True crime clown murder: Wellington woman shot to death 35 years ago, The Palm Beach Post. Part of the paper’s True Crime series.
- Woman accused of being Florida “killer clown” pleads guilty, Miami Herald. Covers the plea and the sentencing math.
- Florida’s convicted killer clown released from prison, Associated Press.
- Killer clown unmasked in 27-year-old cold case, Sun Sentinel. The 2017 arrest, with the original 1990 investigation.
Listen
- Felonious Florida (South Florida Sun Sentinel). The Sun Sentinel’s true-crime podcast covered the case in 2018 using the released court files. Check your podcast app for availability.
