48 Hours “Murder by Clown” 10PM October 28 2023 Recap & Preview

At 9pm, CBS rebroadcasts “48 Hours: Melissa Turner’s Closing Act“.

In May 1990, Marlene Warren opened her Florida home’s door to a clown who presented her with balloons and flowers, only to be shot dead instantly while her 21-year-old son, Joe Aherns, witnessed the horrifying event. In “Murder by Clown,” which airs on Saturday, October 28 (10:00-11:00 PM) on the CBS Television Network and streams on Paramount+, Joe Aherns shares his experience with 48 HOURS correspondent Peter Van Sant.

Aherns recounts, “That was the worst day of my life. We were eating breakfast; we saw the colors of the reflections through the glass. It looked like a clown costume. My mother opened the door and I heard ‘How, how pretty,’ and heard [a] bang and I saw her fall.”

After the shooting, the clown calmly returned to a car and drove away. The crime initially appeared to be a perfect one, with onlookers assuming it was a kind gesture – someone delivering flowers.

The investigation initially focused on Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, and his coworker Sheila Keen, who were suspected of having an affair. However, Michael Warren had an alibi. Detectives then turned their attention to local costume shops to identify anyone who had recently rented a clown costume. While they believed they had found a suspect, it would take decades to untangle the case and make an arrest.

What Happened to Marlene Warren & Killer Sheila Keen-Warren?

Sheila Keen-Warren, long suspected of being the killer clown who shot Marlene Warren in 1990, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal that will result in her release from prison within a year. She had been awaiting trial for first-degree murder since 2017, when advances in DNA technology linked her to the crime. Although Keen-Warren maintains her innocence, the plea agreement, which was accepted with the consent of Marlene Warren’s family, closes the case.

The deal stipulates a 12-year sentence, but since Keen-Warren has already served six years awaiting trial and Florida law at the time allowed significant time off for good behavior, her release is expected early next year. Originally, prosecutors had sought the death penalty, which was later dropped.

Marlene Warren was killed at her Florida home in 1990 by a clown who handed her balloons and flowers before shooting her. The investigation initially pointed to her husband, Michael Warren, and his coworker Sheila Keen, who were suspected of having an affair. However, Michael Warren had an alibi. Costume shop employees later identified Keen-Warren as the purchaser of a clown suit shortly before the murder, and one of the balloons given to Marlene was traced to a store near Keen-Warren’s home. The presumed getaway car, which had been reported stolen from Michael Warren’s car lot, was found abandoned, containing orange, hair-like fibers.

Despite the guilty plea, Keen-Warren continues to maintain her innocence. The case had been plagued by various issues, including DNA samples with mixed genes, and the long time it took to bring it to trial, resulting in the death of key witnesses.

Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael Warren, had served time in prison for grand theft, racketeering, and odometer tampering but has never been charged in connection with his wife’s murder. In January 2019, he denied any involvement in the planning of the murder and expressed his belief that Sheila Keen-Warren was not responsible.

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Aherns, who witnessed the murder at the age of 21, had only one message during the court proceedings: “May God be with her.”