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Murder by Clown | Full Episode

48 Hours・29 minutes read

Marlene Warren was shot and killed by a clown in front of her son Joe, who provided crucial details for investigators. Over 30 years later, new DNA evidence linked Sheila Keen, known as Debbie Warren, to the murder, leading to her arrest and eventual guilty plea, bringing closure to Joe after decades of struggle.

Insights

  • Joe Arens, Marlene Warren's son, provided crucial details about the clown shooter, aiding investigators in the case.
  • Sheila Keen, suspected of Marlene's murder due to circumstantial evidence, was ultimately linked by new DNA evidence after over 27 years, leading to her arrest and a guilty plea for second-degree murder.

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Recent questions

  • Who shot Marlene Warren in 1990?

    Sheila Keen

  • What was the motive behind Marlene Warren's murder?

    Alleged affair

  • How did Joe contribute to solving his mother's murder?

    Provided crucial details

  • What was the outcome of Sheila Keen's trial?

    Guilty plea

  • How did the new DNA evidence impact the case?

    Linked Sheila to murder

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Summary

00:00

Unsolved Clown Murder Haunts Son for Decades

  • Marlene Warren was shot by a clown at her home in Wellington on May 26, 1990, in front of her son Joe, who witnessed the tragic event.
  • The clown calmly walked back to a car after shooting Marlene, leaving her critically injured.
  • Marlene succumbed to her injuries two days later after being put on life support, leaving Joe devastated.
  • Joe described the clown as about 6'1" tall, with orange hair, a red nose, and big brown eyes, providing crucial details for investigators.
  • Authorities suspected Marlene's husband, Michael Warren, and his alleged mistress, Sheila Keen, of being involved in the murder due to their affair.
  • Sheila Keen, known for her toughness and as a repo woman, denied any involvement in Marlene's murder but was linked to purchasing a clown costume before the incident.
  • Detectives found fibers similar to a clown wig and Sheila's hair in a white Chrysler LeBaron, believed to be the getaway car used in the crime.
  • Despite mounting evidence against Sheila Keen, including consistent descriptions from sales clerks, DNA technology in 1990 couldn't definitively connect her to the crime.
  • Mike Warren, Marlene's husband, was charged with fraud-related crimes but not with Marlene's murder, as law enforcement didn't believe her death was due to business disputes.
  • The case remained unsolved for over 30 years, with Sheila Keen seemingly disappearing, leaving Joe to struggle with addiction and despair over his mother's murder.

19:52

"Clown Murder Case Ends with Guilty Plea"

  • Joe struggled with the anniversary of his mother's shooting, turning to alcohol and visiting her grave for answers.
  • Joe eventually concluded that Sheila was responsible for his mother's murder, believing she thought she had gotten away with it.
  • Marlene and her mother shared a love for clowns, with Shirley having a room full of clown art despite Marlene's tragic end at the hands of a clown.
  • After 27 years, new DNA evidence linked Sheila to Marlene's murder, leading to her arrest in 2017.
  • Sheila, after marrying Michael Warren, lived under the name Debbie, running a burger joint in Tennessee.
  • Former employees knew Debbie as a tough boss and heard rumors linking her to Marlene's murder, including dressing up as a clown.
  • Despite evidence pointing to Sheila, her defense attorney argued against her guilt, highlighting flaws in the case's handling.
  • Sheila's trial faced numerous delays, with crucial evidence disappearing and reappearing, causing challenges for both the defense and prosecution.
  • Two weeks before her trial, Sheila unexpectedly pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a 12-year sentence with a potential release in 2025.
  • Despite her plea, Sheila's attorney maintains her innocence, suggesting the admission was a legal decision rather than an acknowledgment of guilt.

38:57

"Murder convict accepts plea, reunites with husband"

  • Sheila, convicted of murder, accepted a plea deal to be home in 16 to 18 months, reuniting with her husband Michael Warren, despite his belief in her innocence. Joe Arens, approving the deal, found closure after 33 years, replacing demons with loving memories of his mother Marlene.
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