A vice mayor from Florida who broke barriers as the first Black woman and Haitian American woman to serve as a commissioner in her city was discovered deceased in her bedroom, covered in blankets and black trash bags, reportedly shot three times by her spouse, who informed family members he “couldn’t take it anymore.”
Stephen Bowen, 40, is facing charges of first-degree murder and evidence tampering in connection with the killing of his wife, Nancy Metayer Bowen, 38, who served as vice mayor of Coral Springs, Florida. Her body was found by authorities on April 1 following reports from worried coworkers that she had not appeared at city meetings earlier that day.
The tragic find occurred after law enforcement performed a wellness check at their residence in the 800 block of Northwest 127th Avenue. That same morning, a municipal employee,
Commission Relationship Manager Luwam Ghermay, had sent a text message to Bowen inquiring about his wife’s location after she didn’t attend a 9 a.m. commission meeting with Coral Springs Police Chief Brad Mock.
“Hey Luwam, texted her. She is not picking up,” Bowen purportedly responded, claiming her vehicle was not at the residence.
However, according to a probable cause affidavit, Bowen had already murdered his wife during the preceding night. A resident in the area stated they witnessed Metayer taking her dog for a walk around midnight, presumably just hours prior to her murder.
Upon arriving at the residence approximately 10:20 a.m., law enforcement noticed external damage that appeared consistent with bullet impact. Bowen’s parents, who came soon thereafter, informed detectives that their son had discussed experiencing a panic attack at his workplace the day before. His mother indicated she was unaware of any relationship problems between the pair.
The major development occurred when law enforcement 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 doing “something” to his wife, indicating she “was not alive.”
Based on the probable cause affidavit, Small informed detectives that Bowen discharged a shotgun three times at her during the prior evening and subsequently spent the night on the lower level.
Law enforcement had been monitoring Bowen’s F-150 pickup vehicle to a parking area in Plantation, where they witnessed him handing another individual a bag similar to a firearm-carrying case. The individual, subsequently identified as Leslie Washington Jr., informed detectives the pair were Freemasons convening to discuss an approaching event. Washington stated Bowen additionally provided him with ammunition containers and had taken off the license plate from his vehicle.
Law enforcement apprehended Bowen at 2:35 p.m. on April 1. Washington allegedly overheard him state, “Oh s—t, they’re here for me,” as law enforcement placed him under arrest. Bowen instantly requested legal representation.
Within the couple’s residence, investigators located Metayer Bowen’s remains on a bed in the upstairs master bedroom. Detectives additionally found three shotgun casings and a pillow bearing burn marks and a cord fashioned as a homemade silencer.
The 38-year-old vice mayor had broken barriers in 2020 by becoming Coral Springs’ first Black woman and first Haitian American elected to serve the city. She secured re-election without opposition in 2024. Based on statements from colleagues, 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 a prolonged struggle with schizophrenia. He was a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz shared his profound sadness, stating 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 expressed that she “served her community with dedication and heart” and that her impact “will be felt across Broward County.”
Metayer Bowen’s family issued a statement describing 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 bond on the homicide charge. He is subject to an additional $50,000 bond for the evidence tampering charge. As of Sunday, April 5, his case continued to await trial.
