Shivangi Sinha
In May 1990, Marlene Warren was at home in Wellington, Florida, with her son and his friends when someone rang the doorbell. When she went to answer it, a person dressed in a clown costume handed her a bouquet of flowers and some balloons, then shot her in the face. Marlene died a few days later. Initially, police focused their investigation on her husband, Michael Warren, but found no solid evidence to charge him. Years later, suspicion shifted to Sheila Keen-Warren, who eventually married Michael. Sundance TV’s ‘The Killer Clown: Murder on the Doorstep’ explores how the case against Sheila unfolded.
Sheila Keen Was Allegedly Having an Affair With Michael Warren When His Wife Died
Sheila Marie Sheltra was raised in LaBelle, Florida, as the daughter of Robert Sheltra. Her family owned a large farm, and her father ran a construction business. In 1980, the family relocated to Martin County, Florida, where Sheila completed her high school education. From a young age, she was known to be strong-willed and independent, with a deep love for horses. As a teenager, she often pushed boundaries and found herself in occasional trouble. In 1984, she was arrested for shoplifting in Palm Beach County, and two years later, in 1986, she faced another theft charge, which resulted in six months of probation. Following her earlier legal troubles, Sheila married Richard C. Keen at the age of 23.
Just three months after their wedding, the couple welcomed their son, Charles, into the world. For a time, she appeared content and settled into her new life. By 1990, both she and her husband were employed by Michael Warren, a businessman who owned a used car lot and a rental car agency. However, cracks soon began to show. In January of that year, Sheila accused her husband of abuse and moved into an apartment by herself. Around this time, rumors began circulating among coworkers that Sheila and Michael were involved in an affair. Some even alleged that Michael was covering the cost of her apartment. The police suspected that the two had orchestrated the crime for financial gain and also to get a free pass to build a life together.
On the morning of May 26, 1990, a person dressed in a clown costume arrived at the door of Michael’s house. They were carrying a basket of flowers and a few balloons. When Marlene Warren, his wife, answered the door, she was shot in the face right in front of her son, Joe Ahrens. The seemingly innocent gifts the clown brought quickly turned into crucial pieces of evidence. Joe and a few of his friends, who had witnessed the horrific scene, told police that the shooter had driven away in a white Chrysler LeBaron. Investigators immediately launched a search for suspects, focusing early on Michael, particularly due to rumors of an affair with Sheila. Both Michael and Sheila were brought in for questioning. She denied the alleged relationship and insisted she had nothing to do with the murder.
Sheila Keen-Warren Was Arrested for Marlene’s Murder Over 25 Years Later
A few days after the murder, authorities recovered a vehicle believed to have been used by the shooter. Inside, investigators found strands of brown hair and orange fibers, which they suspected came from the wig worn as part of the clown costume. However, due to the limitations of forensic technology at the time, they were unable to definitively link the evidence to Sheila Keen through DNA analysis. The investigation also led police to Spotlight Capezio, a costume shop where they believed the clown outfit had been purchased. Two women working there allegedly picked Sheila out of a photo lineup, stating she resembled the customer who had bought the costume. Despite this, the district attorney’s office declined to issue an arrest warrant, citing a lack of solid, conclusive evidence to move forward with charges at the time.
In 1992, Michael Warren was convicted on 43 counts, including racketeering, odometer tampering, and grand theft. He began serving his three-year sentence in 1994. Meanwhile, Sheila kept a low profile and, in April 1999, officially divorced her husband, Richard Keen. Just a few years later, in August 2002, she married Michael in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple relocated to Abingdon, Virginia, where they started a new life together. They opened a local restaurant called Purple Cow and quickly became well-known in the community. Described as hardworking and friendly, the two often hosted birthday parties and community events. Sheila began going by the name “Debbie,” and to outsiders, nothing appeared suspicious. Their seemingly peaceful life continued until 2014, when authorities decided to reopen the investigation into Marlene Warren’s murder.
This time, investigators believed that advancements in forensic science could finally bring justice. They resubmitted the DNA evidence recovered from the white LeBaron, including strands of brown hair and orange fibers, for testing. The results reportedly came back with a match to Sheila. On September 26, 2017, she was arrested in Virginia and extradited to Florida, where she was formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 1990 shooting of Marlene. Sheila began awaiting trial, but procedural delays and the COVID-19 pandemic caused repeated postponements. Her trial was ultimately scheduled for 2023.
Sheila Keen-Warren is a Free Woman Today
During pre-trial proceedings, the prosecution faced many challenges. The testimonies from the two women who had previously identified Sheila Keen-Warren as the buyer of the clown costume were ruled inadmissible due to inconsistencies and conflicting accounts. Additionally, doubts were raised about the reliability of the DNA evidence. As the trial approached, the prosecution began to express concerns that their case was unraveling. Just before her trial was set to begin, Sheila accepted a plea deal offered by the prosecution.
She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 1990 killing of Marlene Warren and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, since she had already spent several years in jail awaiting trial, and with provisions allowing for sentence reductions due to good behavior, she was released in November 2024. Following her release, reports indicate that she returned to live with her husband, Michael Warren, at their home in Abingdon, Virginia. The couple’s restaurant, Purple Cow, has since closed, and the two are said to maintain a very low profile. Sheila has not made any public statements since leaving prison. Those familiar with the couple say she now spends much of her time gardening, landscaping, and working on home DIY projects. Michael has never been charged in connection with the case.
Read More: Michael Warren: Where is Sheila Keen’s Husband Now?
