A vice mayor in Florida who became the first Black and Haitian American female commissioner in her city’s history was discovered deceased in her sleeping quarters, encased in bed coverings and dark trash bags, purportedly shot on three occasions by her spouse, who informed family members he “couldn’t take it anymore.”
Stephen Bowen, 40, is facing accusations of first-degree murder and evidence manipulation in connection with the killing of his spouse, Nancy Metayer Bowen, 38, who served as vice mayor of Coral Springs, Florida. Officials located her remains on April 1 following reports from worried coworkers that she had not appeared at municipal proceedings that day.
The tragic finding occurred after law enforcement performed a wellness visit at their residence in the 800 block of Northwest 127th Avenue. That same morning, a municipal employee,
Commission Relationship Manager Luwam Ghermay, had sent Bowen a message inquiring about his spouse’s location following her absence from a 9 a.m. commission gathering with Coral Springs Police Chief Brad Mock.
“Hey Luwam, texted her. She is not picking up,” Bowen purportedly responded, claiming that her vehicle was absent from their residence.
However, according to a probable cause statement, Bowen had already taken his wife’s life during the prior evening. A residential neighbor stated observing Metayer walking her canine companion near midnight, presumably mere hours prior to her demise.
Upon police arrival at the residence approximately 10:20 a.m., they noticed outside damage aligned with bullet strike patterns. Bowen’s parents, arriving soon thereafter, informed detectives their son had referenced experiencing anxiety symptoms at his workplace the preceding afternoon. His mother indicated she was unaware of any matrimonial difficulties involving the pair.
The pivotal development occurred when authorities received an emergency call at 1:51 p.m. from Bowen’s uncle, Owen Small. He stated that his nephew had shown up at his residence around 10 a.m. that day and admitted to committing “something” to his spouse, indicating she “was not alive.”
Based on the probable cause statement, Small informed detectives that Bowen discharged a shotgun at her three times during the preceding night and subsequently rested on a lower floor.
Authorities had been monitoring Bowen’s F-150 pickup truck to a parking area in Plantation, where they witnessed him transferring to another individual a bag resembling a weapon transport container. The individual, subsequently identified as Leslie Washington Jr., informed detectives the pair were Freemasons convening to review an upcoming activity. Washington stated Bowen additionally provided him with ammunition containers and had detached the registration plate from his vehicle.
Law enforcement apprehended Bowen at 2:35 p.m. on April 1. Washington allegedly overheard him stating, “Oh s–t, they’re here for me,” during his apprehension by authorities. Bowen promptly requested legal representation.
Within the pair’s residence, investigators located Metayer Bowen’s remains on a sleeping surface in the upper-level primary bedroom. Detectives additionally uncovered three shotgun casings and a cushion displaying scorch patterns and a cord configured as an improvised sound suppressor.
The 38-year-old vice mayor had achieved historical significance in 2020 by becoming Coral Springs’ first Black female and first Haitian American voted into office to serve the municipality. She secured reelection without opposition in 2024. Based on reports from associates, she was getting ready to declare a congressional campaign and had recently laid to rest her brother, Donovan, who took his own life in December following an extended struggle with schizophrenia. He was a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz conveyed his profound sorrow, noting that Metayer Bowen was “one of the nicest people” he had collaborated with and was “always fighting for her community.”
The municipality published a memorial describing her as “more than a public servant” and “a light in our community” whose “leadership was grounded in compassion, strength, and an unwavering commitment to others.”
Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen remarked she “served her community with dedication and heart” and that her influence “will be felt across Broward County.”
Metayer Bowen’s relatives issued a declaration characterizing her as a “cherished member of our family” and “a sister, a daughter, and a friend whose warmth and laughter filled every room.”
Stephen Bowen is presently detained at Broward Main Jail without bail on the homicide charge. He is subject to an extra $50,000 bail for the evidence manipulation accusation. As of Sunday, April 5, his legal proceedings remained awaiting trial.
