The Unsolved Murder of Marlene Warren: The Killer Clown Case
The 1990 murder of Marlene Warren, who was shot by someone dressed as a clown, has remained a haunting mystery for decades. Despite having two suspects, the case went cold, leaving the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office troubled. Dave Aronberg, the current state attorney, understands why this case has captured the public’s interest. After all, who isn’t afraid of a killer clown?
According to Aronberg, Marlene’s murder was no random act of violence. It was an assassination. Joe Ahrens, Marlene’s son, vividly recalls the day she was killed. Joe was recovering from a broken leg and was having breakfast with his mom and friends when they noticed a clown approaching their home carrying balloons and flowers. Little did they know that this seemingly cheerful gesture would end in tragedy.
Marlene opened the door, and a loud “bang” followed. She fell to the ground, struggling to breathe. Joe immediately called 911 while the clown calmly walked to a white LeBaron parked nearby and drove away. Joe and his friends tried to remember every detail about the disguised attacker – the black shoes, white gloves, and most prominently, the big brown eyes.
As Marlene fought for her life in the hospital, Joe and his friends attempted to chase down the clown, but they couldn’t keep up. Two days later, Marlene succumbed to her injuries. Joe knew his life would never be the same without his mother’s love and support.
The police recovered the balloons and flowers left behind by the clown. Among them was a cruelly ironic message – “You’re the greatest.” Another balloon featured a picture of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Investigators scrutinized these items and traced their origins to local stores.
Initially, the focus was on Joe’s stepfather, Mike Warren. However, Mike’s alibi was solid. He was in a car with friends heading to a racetrack during the time of the incident. Joe speaks fondly of his relationship with Mike but admits that his parents’ marriage had its problems. Marlene suspected Mike of having an affair and expressed her fears to both Joe and her mother.
Marlene’s mother, Shirley Twing, remembers the chilling words her daughter spoke. She told Shirley that if anything happened to her, Mike was responsible. Twing sensed the fear in Marlene’s voice. So when she learned about the murder, her suspicions immediately fell on Mike.
Investigators at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spoke with Mike, who denied any involvement in Marlene’s death. However, a woman named Sheila Keen, rumored to be Mike’s mistress, kept coming up in conversations at Bargain Motors, Mike’s place of business.
According to Aleathea McRoberts, an assistant state attorney who has been involved in the case from the beginning, several tips led authorities to focus on Sheila and Mike as potential suspects. Della Ward, a former coworker, believed that Sheila was in love with Mike and described her as “nice” and “bubbly.”
Sheila Keen, a repo woman who repossessed cars at Bargain Motors, claimed she was working at the time of the murder. However, she couldn’t provide any addresses to confirm her alibi. Keen and Mike both denied any romantic involvement, but the neighbors believed otherwise, thinking they were husband and wife.
While an affair doesn’t necessarily prove motive for murder, financial gain raises suspicions. As it turned out, Mike Warren stood to profit immensely from Marlene’s death since most of their properties and assets were in her name. Her passing meant that he would obtain 100% of their shared assets.
Investigators also tracked down local costume shops to find where the clown outfit was purchased. A cashier named Deborah Offord recalled a customer who bought a clown suit, an orange wig, makeup, and a red nose – all in cash. She described the customer as having long brown hair, big brown eyes, and being approximately 5’10” tall. Later, when presented with a photo lineup, Offord identified Sheila Keen as the buyer.
