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Vanessa Richardson
This is Crime House. During the week of May 26, 1990, 40 year old Marlene Warren opened her door to find a clown holding a bouquet of flowers, balloons and a gun. Later, the world would learn that this fatal delivery had come from her husband's lover. Almost 90 years earlier in 1902, 22 year old rose Harsent was found murdered in the English countryside. The prime suspect, the man she was having an affair with, making this week's theme Crimes of Passion. Welcome to Crime House the Show. I'm Vanessa Richardson. Every Monday we'll be revisiting notorious crimes from this week in history. From serial killers to mysterious disappearances or murders. Every episode will explore stories that share a common theme. Each week we'll cover two stories, one further in the past and one more rooted in the present. Here at Crime House, we know none of this would be possible without you, our community. Please support us by rating, reviewing and following Crime the Show wherever you get your podcasts and for ad free and early access to Crime the Show plus exciting bonus content. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. This week's theme is Crimes of Passion. First we go to 1990 in South Florida when Marlene Warren was shot by a killer clown who wanted Marlene's husband all to themselves. Then we'll jump back to the Same week in 1902, to the morning when Rose Harsent was found murdered in England, her body mutilated and partially burned. The investigation would reveal she was killed to keep a scandalous affair secret. Although these events took place decades apart, they shared a chilling link. Their killers were motivated by love, lust and rage. They were willing to do anything to get what they wanted. And they didn't care if their victims paid with their lives. Hey, it's Vanessa. And if you love Crime House the show, the ultimate destination for true crime fans, then you have to check out Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaylin Moore. Every Wednesday, Kaylin and Morgan take you deep into the world of the the most notorious crimes ever, clue by clue. And what I really love about Clues is how they break down the ways that even the smallest pieces of evidence can crack a case wide open. From serial killers to shocking murders, Clues dives into all the forensic details and brilliant sleuthing of the world's most infamous cases. Clues is a Crime House original. Powered by Pave Studios. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Just search Clues. Wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Vanessa Richardson
On Saturday, May 26, 1990, 40 year old Marlene Warren sat in her South Florida home enjoying breakfast with her 21 year old son, Joe. He dreamed recently broken his leg, so a few of Joe's friends had come over the night before to keep him company. They slept over and were still there that morning, and Marlene was happy to have them. In the middle of taking a bite of food, Marlene heard a knock at the door. She put down her fork and went to see who it was. She opened up to find a clown with white face paint holding flowers and balloons. One balloon said, you're the greatest and the other was Snow White themed. Marlene had no idea who the gifts were from, but she gladly accepted them. Before she could close the door, the clown had one more thing for her. A gun. Without warning, the clown pulled out the weapon and shot Marlene in the face, fatally wounding her. The bizarre murder would haunt Marlene's family and baffle investigators for decades to come. Marleene Warren was born in 1950 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and raised on her grandpa's farm. She had a traditional upbringing, and her biggest dream was to start a family. But that fantasy didn't play out the way she'd envisioned. When she was 18, Marleene met and married her first husband. They had two sons, John and Joseph, and while Marlene was thrilled to be a mother, her relationship wasn't going well. Two years into their marriage in 1970, Marleene and her husband divorced. At just 20 years old, Marleene found herself a single mother of two. She thought she'd never find another partner. But then she met 18 year old Michael Warren and her luck seemed to change. He welcomed her sons as if they were his own, and after a couple years of dating, they tied the knot. In 1972. The newlyweds were eager to build a life together, but they'd both spent their entire lives in Michigan and were looking for a change. They decided they were ready for warmer weather and eventually moved to Florida. Life in the Sunshine State was good for Marlene and Michael, and they slowly put down roots. Over the next few years, they went into business together. They started a rental car company in Southern Florida that Michael managed, and they bought several rental properties near West Palm Beach. By the early 1980s, they were making so much money, they were able to buy a $2 million home in Wellington, an affluent area just outside of West Palm Beach. It was in a gated community called the Arrow Club. The neighborhood was filled with sprawling mansions, a private airstrip and a hangar where residents could store their own planes. But even with all the luxury around her, Marleene, who was now in her mid-30s, still found joy in the simple things. And one of her favorite ways to pass the time was painting. Specifically, painting clowns. Ever since she'd been a little girl, Marlene had gravitated towards their funny, expressive faces. There was even a clown themed room in her childhood home. Now Marlene hung the paintings on the walls of her house in the Aero Club. From the outside looking in, it seemed like Marlene had everything she could possibly want. A beautiful home, a loving family, and plenty of money. But that picture perfect image came crashing down just a few years later, in 1988, when Marlene was 38. That year, her 22 year old son John was in a fatal car accident. His death took a huge toll on Marlene and she struggled to cope. It also put a str on her marriage. While Marleene looked to 36 year old Michael for love and support, he only grew more distant. Suddenly, he was spending more time at work and less time with Marlene. Something about it didn't sit right with Marleene, and before long, she started to suspect he was cheating. Unfortunately, Marlene's instincts seemed to be correct. She didn't know it, but Michael was allegedly having an affair with one of their employees named Sheila Keane. The 25 year old worked for Michael and Marlene's auto business, repossessing cars. Like Michael, Sheila was married. But the honeymoon period didn't last long. She and her husband Richard had been together for just about a year when she started seeing Michael. Despite Marlene's suspicions. She was hesitant to confront Michael. She told family and friends she wanted to leave him, but was worried about what would happen to their businesses. She and Michael were co owners at the car company and both of their names were on the rental properties. If they divorced, Marlene wasn't sure if everything would be sold, divided fairly, or if she'd end up with nothing. So for the next two years, Marlene stayed in the marriage. Meanwhile, Michael was only getting closer to sheila and by 1990 her marriage was on the rocks too. In January of that year, 27 year old Sheila filed a domestic violence report against her husband, claiming he had grabbed and threatened her. Shortly after the incident, Sheila moved out of her home and into an apartment. Allegedly, Michael was paying for it. Sheila's neighbors claimed to see the two of them together so often they assumed they were married. It seemed like Michael and Sheila weren't even trying to hide their relationship anymore. Now it was more like an open secret. But Sheila was desperate to make it official. Five months later, on May 26, 1990, Marlene was at home with her son, 21 year old Joe, after breaking his leg. Some friends had come over to offer support, but one person was missing. Michael. It was Memorial Day weekend and he decided to spend it betting on horses at a racetrack in Miami. Which left Marlene with the task of making breakfast for Joe and his buddies. Just before 10am There was a knock at the door. Marlene went to answer it and found a clown holding a bouquet of flowers and several balloons. Marlene said, oh, how pretty. But before she could ask who the gift was from, the clown pulled out a gun. Then they shot her in the face right in front of Joe and his friends. Later, Marlene's son remembered the clown appearing calm and composed. As they slowly walked away from the crime scene, he noticed they were wearing combat boots. But he didn't get a good look at the killer beyond that. Probably because he was too busy calling 91 1. By the time paramedics arrived, Marlene was in bad shape. She was rushed to a hospital, but after two days, she passed away from her injuries on May 28, 1990. She was 40 years old. With his mother gone, all Joe wanted was answers. He spoke to detectives and said he saw the clown leave in a white Chrysler LeBaron sedan. He didn't recognize the vehicle, but he did know someone who may have wanted Marlene dead. His stepfather, Michael Warren. Joe told police that his mom knew Michael was having an affair. She didn't know who he was seeing. But two years ago, when it first started, she came to Joe with An eerie prediction, she said if something ever happened to her, Mike did it. At the time, Joe laughed it off. He certainly didn't find it funny anymore. But that was enough for detectives to zero in on Michael as their primary suspect. The same day Marlene was killed, they brought Michael in for questioning. They asked him where he was that morning, and he explained he was on his way to Miami to the racetrack. As soon as he heard about Marlene, he'd rushed home. His friend had driven with him and was able to confirm his alibi. With Michael in the clear, detectives moved on to finding more tangible evidence. They started by tracking down where the flowers, balloons and clown costume had come from. And it didn't take them long to get answers. The night of the murder, investigators got a call from a local costume shop in West Palm beach, about 30 minutes east of Marlene's home in Wellington. The owner had heard about Marlene's death and thought they might be able to help. An employee at the store, Deborah Offerman, remembered a woman had come in the previous evening looking for a clown costume. Debra said she seemed stressed. Even though the shop was closed by then. The woman insisted she needed the costume immediately, so Deborah sold her one. The woman paid in cash. Debra also recalled she had long chocolate brown hair and was wearing jeans and a men's button down shirt. Now, Marlene may not have known who Michael was having an affair with, but plenty of people around town did. It didn't take long for police to get a name. 27 year old Sheila Keene. And when they showed Debra a photo of her, she was certain Sheila was the woman who'd purchased the costume.
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Vanessa Richardson
Hey, it's Vanessa and if you love Crime House, the show, the ultimate destination for true crime fans, then you have to check out Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaylin Moore. Just like we explore notorious cases each week, every Wednesday, Kaylin and Morgan take you deep into the world of the most notorious crimes ever. Clues and by clue. And what I really love about Clues is how they break down the ways that even the smallest pieces of evidence can crack a case wide open. From serial killers to shocking murders, Clues dives into all the forensic details and brilliant sleuthing of the world's most infamous cases. If you're looking for compelling storytelling, crime scene analysis, and a new perspective through some of the world's most puzzled true crime cases, then you have to check out Clues. Cluz is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Just search Clues wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Vanessa Richardson
The day after 40 year old Marlene Warren was shot dead by a clown wielding a gun, detectives honed in on a new suspect. It was well known that Marlene's husband, 38 year old Michael, was having an affair with his employee, 27 year old Sheila Keene. And based on testimony from a local costume shop worker, it seemed like Sheila had purchased a clown outfit the night before Marlene was murdered. The following day, May 27, 1990, police in Palm Beach, Florida brought Sheila in for questioning. They began by asking if she was having an affair with Michael. Sheila denied it. As for the morning of Marlene's murder, Sheila claimed she was out doing her job and repossessing cars. At 10am when Marlene was killed, however, Sheila couldn't remember where she was at the exact moment of the attack. It was suspicious. But without any concrete evidence to hold her on, detectives were forced to release Sheila. It wouldn't be long until she was back on their radar, though. On May 30, four days after Marlene's murder, police found a white Chrysler LeBaron abandoned in a grocery store parking lot eight miles from her house. It was the same kind of car Marlene's son Joe had seen the clown leave. In and inside, detectives recovered orange fibers and strands of brown hair. They believed the fibers were from the clown's wig and the hair could have been from the killer. Police tracked the vehicle back to a familiar local car business, a Bargain Motors. The company was owned by none other than Michael and previously Marlene. It was also where Sheila worked. That same day, police got a warrant to search Sheila's apartment 17 miles away from Marlene's house. Inside her closet, they found orange fibers that were similar to the ones found in the getaway car. They also found a pair of combat boots like the ones Joe had described seeing the killer wearing. And on the bottom of the boots were orange hairs and carpet fibers that matched the Chrysler LeBaron. It was damning, but there were still some things missing. The costume and the gun. At that point, the detectives only hope was to get a DNA match for the strand of brown hair they'd found in the car, Especially because Sheila was a Brunette. But unfortunately, DNA testing in 1990 wasn't as advanced as it is today. At the time, all forensic investigators could do was put the hair under a microscope and compare it to Sheila's own sample. And although they looked similar, it wasn't foolproof. Detectives worried it wouldn't be enough to get a conviction if they took Sheila to trial. Days, months, then years passed without any new evidence. By the mid-1990s, no arrests had been made and Marlene's murder was officially considered a cold case. In the wake of his mother's death, Joe struggled to move on. Witnessing Marlene's murder was incredibly traumatic and he developed a substance, substance abuse disorder. Michael also had a hard time, but not because he was mourning his wife. Five months after Marlene was killed, Michael was arrested for racketeering, grand theft and odometer tampering. The Police had learned 38 year old Michael was falsely claiming that his vehicles at a Bargain Motors had been stolen. Then he had been collecting the insurance money. Eventually, Michael stood trial and was convicted on 43 different counts. In March 1994, he went to prison. When he got out four years later, in 1997, he seemed to disappear. But there was one person he stayed in touch with. Sheila. In 1999, Sheila finally divorced her husband. Three years later, in August 2002, she and Michael Warren ran off to Las Vegas and eloped. After repeatedly denying their affair, Michael and Sheila couldn't talk their way out of this one. But they could move to a place where no one knew their history. Or so they thought. Sometime after their trip to Las Vegas, the couple relocated to Kingsport, Tennessee. They opened a burger restaurant called the Purple Cow. Despite their attempt at a fresh start, employees knew the rumors about Sheila, and she wasn't doing herself any favors. One year for Halloween, she even showed up to work wearing a clown costume. She should have thought twice about making such a bold move, because she wasn't in the clear just yet. In 2014, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office in Florida received a $125,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice. They had recently developed a new program called Solving cold cases with DNA, and the unsolved murder of Marlene Warren was high on their list. Thanks to the grant, Palm beach reopened Marlene's case. A new deputy took over the investigation, and with the help of the FBI, they re examined the original evidence and re interviewed witnesses. By now, 24 years had passed since Marlene was gunned down and DNA testing had advanced significantly. Detectives retested the strand of brown hair recovered from the getaway vehicle. Sure enough, it was a match for Sheila Keane Warren. It took a while to gather the rest of the evidence they needed, but after three years, they were ready to take her her down. During a Traffic stop On September 26, 2017, Sheila was arrested and charged with first degree murder. The Florida state attorney's office said that if convicted, Sheila would face life in prison or even be put to death. But Sheila was ready for a fight. Her defense team filed motion after motion, delaying the proceedings and challenging the evidence. Throughout it all, Michael stayed by Sheila's side and maintained her innocence. Five years later, in April 2023, her trial was finally about to begin. But before jury selection could take place, Sheila made a shocking announcement. She would accept a plea deal for second degree murder. That meant she would only serve 12 years instead of life or possibly the death penalty. It also meant the time she'd already served would count towards her sentence. Just like that, 12 years became seven. And there was even more fine print working in Sheila's favor. Using all the legal mechanisms in place, Sheila was able to get her time in prison reduced to only 18 months. And in September 2023, she was once again a free woman. Sheila and Michael Warren are still married today. Since her release, they've stayed out of the spotlight and refused to speak to the media about Marlene. The story of Marlene Warren is a complicated and very unusual one. Although her killer was caught, many feel like justice wasn't properly served. But the world knows the truth about who Sheila really is, and that will never change. Up next, another chilling crime of passion, this time on the other side of the Atlantic.
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Vanessa Richardson
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Shop today in stores online@nordstrom.com or download the Nordstrom app. From the team that brought you up and vanished comes an all new podcast that brings you a weekly dose of of true crime cases.
She's in an unknown area.
Do you know if she's here now or was she released?
Vanessa Richardson
They said she was released.
Unknown
I'm Payne Lindsay.
And I'm Maggie Freeling.
This is up and Vanish Weekly.
Join me as I talk through cases with special guests and true crime experts.
There's got to be something at the heart of that evidence that they've got.
Vanessa Richardson
It's gotta be DNA.
Unknown
Yeah.
Tune in as Payne Lindsay lays out the the crime in true up and vanish style.
A late night knock at the door, a missing car and a mysterious shadowy figure caught on camera.
Vanessa Richardson
We cannot see that person's face. Ever luckiest person in the world.
Unknown
What new evidence will it take to solve one of Florida's most high profile missing persons cases?
Up and Vanish Weekly is available now Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your your podcasts.
Vanessa Richardson
Almost 90 years before Marleene Warren was gunned down by a killer clown. Another crime of passion. Puzzled investigators like in Marleene's case, the prime suspect was clear from the very beginning. But this time, they got away with murder. Early on the morning of June 1, 1902, William Harsent went to visit his daughter at work. 22 year old Rose was a live in maid for a local couple in the English countryside, and William usually stopped by on Sundays to see her. But this time was different. Instead of running up to greet William, Rose was nowhere to be found. William walked through the home looking for her. And that's when he made a horrific discovery. Rose was dead, lying in a pool of her own blood. She was at the foot of the stairs that led to her bedroom. William could see that her throat had been slit and there were stab wounds all over her body. She also had burn marks on her skin and clothes, like someone had tried to set her on fire. William's mind raced. Who would do such a thing? Rose was kind and caring, naive even. She had no enemies and never got involved in local drama. But over the coming weeks and months, William would learn there was a lot he didn't know about his daughter. And she was keeping a dark secret. One that someone was desperate to keep hidden. Roseannie Harsant was born in 1879 in Peasenhall, a small village in Suffolk, England. Life in Peasenhall was quiet and calm, just how Rose liked it. As she got older, she decided to stay and put down roots. By the time Rose was 22, she'd gotten a job as a live in maid for a local couple, Mr. And Mrs. Crisp. They lived in a stately home called the Providence House, where Rose had her own room in the attic. She spent her days dusting, sweeping, polishing furniture, and doing whatever else the Crisps asked. Occasionally, she also cleaned Mrs. Crisp's church, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. When Rose wasn't working, she spent time at her own church, Primitive Methodist. She was part of the choir there. And over the years, Rose had become friendly with the director, a man in his mid-30s named William Gardner. Beyond that, it didn't seem like Rose had much of a social life. Instead, she spent her free time with her parents, who still lived nearby. Her father, William Harsant, made sure to help Rose whenever he could. Because Rose was so busy at Providence House, he'd often do her laundry for her. On Sunday, June 1, 1902, he was bringing by a fresh set of sheets. That day, he let himself himself into Providence House. The Crisps knew he came by often and were fine with it. William had no idea that he was about to walk into a crime scene. At around 8am, William found his daughter dead at the foot of the stairs that led to her bedroom. He immediately contacted the police, who rushed over. When they took a closer look at Rose's body, they could see she'd been stabbed in the chest multiple times and her throat had been slit twice. There were gashes on her shoulders, bruises on her face, and parts of her nightgown were burned. There was also a newspaper under her head and a broken medicine bottle scattered on the floor around her. Detectives then noticed the kitchen window had been covered with a piece of fabric, blocking the view inside. And up in Rose's room, her bed was perfectly made, like she hadn't slept in it the night before. Based on that, investigators believed she'd been dead for several hours before William found her. With all the strange details around the house, investigators were eager to speak with Mr. And Mrs. Crisp. They talked to Mr. Crisp first and asked about the newspaper under Rose's head. He said he had no clue where it had come from. He didn't subscribe to it. When it came to Mrs. Crisp, she'd last seen Rose at around 10:45pm the previous evening. Rose was holding a candle, the same one that was found near her body, completely burned out. Mrs. Crisp said later that evening, around midnight, she'd woken up to a loud clap of thunder. She looked out the window to see a storm raging. In the din of the storm, she thought she heard the sound of someone falling, followed by a scream and the sound of broken glass. But she couldn't be sure and quickly fell back asleep. It was certainly suspicious, but the authorities didn't find any signs of a struggle or forced entry. They labeled Rose's death a suicide and sent her body for an autopsy to be sure. What they found called that entire theory into question. According to the coroner, Rose had defensive wounds on her hands. This indicated she had tried to fight against an assailant. The findings also showed that parts of her body had been burned, but she never completely caught fire. The autopsy also revealed something no one saw coming. Rose was six months pregnant.
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Vanessa Richardson
On June 1, 1902, 22 year old Rose Harsant was found dead in the home where she worked. Initially, police had ruled her death a suicide, but after an autopsy revealed she had defensive wounds and she was six months pregnant, that theory was called into question. Now detectives believed Rose had been murdered in cold blood by someone who wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret. In the days following Rose's death, investigators searched for clues that might lead them to her killer. They scoured her bedroom and discovered a pile of letters. But these weren't just friendly correspondences. These were love letters. In one, the author wrote, quote, dear R, I will try to see you tonight at 12:00 clock at your place. If you put a light in your window at 10 o' clock for about 10 minutes, then you can take it out again. Don't have a light in your room at 12 o' clock as I will come round to the back in the light. Detectives believed Dear R was dear Rose and the light was the candlestick Mrs. Crisp had seen her holding the night of her death. Based on the times in the letter, they also thought it had been written that same afternoon or evening. And more importantly, whoever had sent Rose that letter had likely been the father of her child and her killer. Which led detectives to their next question. Who was he? After discovering the letters in Rose's room, police continued their investigation around Providence House. They spoke to the gamekeeper named James, who was responsible for maintaining the property. According to James, he'd noticed a set of footprints at 5am on the day Rose was discovered. They led straight from Providence house to a nearby cottage, so detectives followed the prints. The owner of that house was William Gardner, Rose's friend and the director of her church choir. Detectives felt certain William was the man they were looking for, but they needed more evidence. They asked around town and quickly learned some very suspicious information about William. Apparently, about one year before Rose's death, she was cleaning at at Mrs. Crisp's Church, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. While Rose was tidying up, two men were there. According to them, they saw someone pay A sneaky visit to Rose. It was none other than William Gardner. Like Rose, William was a member at Primitive, not Wesleyan. There was no reason for him to be there except to see Rose. The men at the church didn't keep their discovery to themselves. Peasenhall was a small town and word quickly spread that Rose and William were sleeping together, which was a problem. William worked as a foreman for a local agriculture company and led Sunday school at Primitive. But more than that, he was married with six children. If the rumors were true, it would ruin his reputation and tear apart his core whole family. Eventually, Primitive launched an investigation into the allegations. The church's reverend concluded there was nothing to prove William and Rose were having an affair. The pair were friends, and that was that. But detectives weren't convinced. Peasant hall police searched William's home and found even more incriminating evidence. They learned the medicine bottle that had been found next to Rose's body was prescribed to one of William's children. And the footprints leading between his cottage and the Crisp residence were an exact match for a pair of shoes that William owned. James, the gamekeeper at Providence House, said he saw a fire burning at William's cottage around 7:30am on June 1. That would have been just a half hour before, before Rose's dad discovered her body. And most suspicious of all, detectives found a pocket knife inside William's house. It had blood stains on it, which William claimed were from skinning a rabbit. The evidence was overwhelming. On June 3, two days after Rose Harsent was found dead, William Gardner was charged with her murder. William's trial began a few months later. On November 7, 1902. The prosecution painted a grim picture. They argued that when William found out Rose was pregnant, he became worried and angry. In a desperate attempt to save his reputation and keep his family intact, he killed Rose. Several witnesses were called to the stand, including Mrs. Crisp, James and the surgeon who conducted Rose's autopsy. William's neighbor also testified. They claimed that at 10pm on the night of the murder, they saw William standing outside his cottage. At that same moment, they said they also saw a candle glowing in Rose's window nearby. But William's lawyers said he had an alibi. Apparently, William had been asleep until 8:30am on June 1. William's wife, confir confirmed that. His attorneys also pointed out that Williams Cottage, about 200 yards from Providence House, didn't have a clear view of Rose's window, which meant he couldn't have known if she had a candle burning or not. The trial made waves across England. Partly because one of the prosecutors was Henry Dickens, the son of famed author Charles Dickens. Still, it didn't end with the slam dunk conviction most people expected. In the end, 11 jurors said he was guilty, while one remained steadfast that he wasn't, which meant William would be getting a retrial. His second trial came on January 20, 1903. Once again, the jury was hung, but this time the results were flipped. Now 11 jurors thought William was innocent, innocent, and only one believed he was guilty. And this time, he wouldn't get another trial. Despite the evidence against William, no one was ever convicted for Rose Harsen's murder. But for those who believed William was her killer, there was a sense of poetic justice. If William had murdered Rose to save his own reputation, he failed miserably. Even after he was acquitted, rumors about his involvement swirled and he struggled socially and financially. In the end, he and his family moved to London, hoping for a fresh start. But even miles away, William's past continued to haunt him. He may have been innocent in the eyes of the law, although the British public would always think of him as a murderer. Looking back on this week in crime history, we can see how dangerous our emotions can be. Left unchecked, it's easy to become overwhelmed by love or by rage. Sadly, Rose Harsent never got the justice she deserved. For Marlene Warren, it came far too late. Even so, her family never stopped fighting to tell the world the truth about her killer. Thanks so much for listening. I'm Vanessa Richardson and this is Crime House the Show. The show is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing and following Crime House the Show. Wherever you get your podcasts, your feedback truly matters. And for ad free and early access to Crime House the Show, plus exciting bonus content. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. We'll be back next Monday. The show is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson, and is a Crime House original. Powered by Pave Studios, this episode was brought to life by the Crime House the Show team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benidon, Natalie Pertzovsky, Lori Marinelli, Sarah Camp, Markie Lee, Hania Saeed and Michael Langsner. Thank you for listening. How can one tiny clue change everything? Kailyn Moore and Morgan Absher break it all down on their new show, Clues. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Just search Clues wherever you listen to podcasts.
Crime House True Crime Stories: CRIMES OF PASSION – The Peasenhall & Marlene Warren Murders
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Hosted by Vanessa Richardson
In the episode titled "CRIMES OF PASSION: The Peasenhall & Marlene Warren Murders," host Vanessa Richardson delves deep into two chilling cases separated by nearly a century but united by the underlying theme of crimes driven by intense emotions—love, lust, and rage. These cases, one from 1990 Florida and the other from 1902 England, showcase how emotions can escalate to deadly consequences when left unchecked.
Marlene Warren, a 40-year-old mother from South Florida, led what seemed to be an idyllic life. Born in 1950 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, Marlene moved to Florida with her second husband, Michael Warren, to pursue better opportunities. Together, they built successful businesses, including a rental car company and multiple rental properties. By the early 1980s, they owned a luxurious $2 million home in the prestigious Arrow Club community of Wellington, near West Palm Beach.
However, beneath the surface of success and stability, cracks began to form in Marlene's personal life. Her first marriage ended in divorce when she was 20, leaving her a single mother to two sons. She later married Michael, who initially embraced her sons as his own, but their relationship deteriorated over the years, especially after the tragic death of their younger son, John, in a car accident in 1988.
On the morning of May 26, 1990, Marlene was preparing breakfast for her 21-year-old son, Joe, and his friends who were visiting after their overnight stay due to Joe breaking his leg. As she was about to enjoy her meal, a knock at the door interrupted her routine. Upon opening it, Marlene found a clown adorned with white face paint, holding a bouquet of flowers, balloons, and a gun. Before she could comprehend the situation, the clown fired a fatal shot at her face, killing her instantly.
Notable Quote:
Vanessa Richardson [00:06]: "The bizarre murder would haunt Marlene's family and baffle investigators for decades to come."
Joe Warren became the pivotal witness in the case, recalling that the clown appeared "calm and composed" and was wearing combat boots, though he couldn't identify the assailant beyond that. Initial suspicion fell on Michael Warren, Marlene's husband, due to his known affair with Sheila Keane, a 27-year-old employee at their car company. However, Michael provided an alibi that was initially accepted by the authorities.
Detectives pursued tangible evidence, tracking the clown's costume to a local shop where Sheila Keane had purchased a clown outfit the evening before the murder. Additional evidence, including orange fibers and brown hair matching Sheila's, was discovered in the getaway car—a white Chrysler LeBaron sedan similar to the one Joe had mentioned.
Despite accumulating circumstantial evidence, technological limitations of the time made it challenging to secure a conviction. The case went cold, leaving Marlene's family without closure. Years later, advancements in DNA technology allowed authorities to re-examine the evidence. In 2017, Sheila Keane was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. After prolonged legal battles and a controversial plea deal, Sheila was sentenced to significantly reduced time and released in September 2023. Marlene's family remains skeptical, feeling that justice was never fully served.
Notable Quote:
Vanessa Richardson [17:31]: "The story of Marlene Warren is a complicated and very unusual one. Although her killer was caught, many feel like justice wasn't properly served."
Nearly 90 years prior, in the tranquil village of Peasenhall, Suffolk, England, Rose Harsent, a 22-year-old live-in maid, led a modest life working for the Crisp family at Providence House. Born in 1879, Rose was deeply involved in her local Primitive Methodist church, where she formed a close friendship with William Gardner, the choir director.
On June 1, 1902, William Harsent, Rose's father, visited Providence House expecting to see his daughter. Instead, he discovered Rose’s lifeless body at the foot of the stairs to her bedroom, bearing multiple stab wounds and signs of attempted immolation. An initial investigation suggested suicide due to the lack of signs of forced entry and the presence of a made bed. However, the autopsy revealed defensive wounds and that Rose was six months pregnant, disproving the suicide theory.
Notable Quote:
Vanessa Richardson [27:51]: "Looking back on this week in crime history, we can see how dangerous our emotions can be."
Detectives uncovered incriminating evidence pointing towards William Gardner. Rose had been receiving anonymous love letters, likely from Gardner, suggesting a clandestine meeting. Footprints leading from Providence House to Gardner’s cottage, blood-stained evidence, and testimonies about Gardner being seen near Rose's window further implicated him. Despite mounting evidence, Gardner maintained his innocence, supported by an alibi from his wife.
The first trial in November 1902 ended with a hung jury, leading to a retrial in January 1903, which also failed to secure a conviction. Public opinion largely viewed Gardner as the guilty party, but lack of definitive proof led to his acquittal. The case remains unsolved, with Rose’s murderer never brought to justice, and Gardner’s reputation irreparably damaged.
Notable Quote:
Vanessa Richardson [27:16]: "Sadly, Rose Harsent never got the justice she deserved. For Marlene Warren, it came far too late."
Vanessa Richardson poignantly illustrates how crimes of passion transcend time and geography, revealing the destructive power of unchecked emotions. Both Marlene Warren and Rose Harsent fell victim to personal betrayals that led to their untimely deaths, leaving their families and communities grappling with unanswered questions and lingering grief. These cases underscore the complexities of human relationships and the dire consequences that can arise when love and rage intertwine.
Notable Quote:
Vanessa Richardson [34:46]: "Looking back on this week in crime history, we can see how dangerous our emotions can be."
"CRIMES OF PASSION: The Peasenhall & Marlene Warren Murders" serves as a sobering reminder of the fragile line between love and obsession. Through meticulous storytelling and detailed investigations, Vanessa Richardson honors the memories of Marlene and Rose, advocating for deeper understanding and vigilance in the face of emotional turmoil.
Thank you for listening to Crime House True Crime Stories, a Crime House Original powered by Pave Studios.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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