A vice mayor in Florida who created history as the first Black woman and Haitian American female commissioner in her city was discovered deceased in her sleeping quarters, covered with blankets and dark trash bags, reportedly fired upon three times by her spouse, who informed family members he “couldn’t take it anymore.”
Stephen Bowen, 40, is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering 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 meetings scheduled for that day.
The disturbing find occurred when law enforcement performed a wellness visit at the pair’s 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 was absent 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, stating that her vehicle was not at their residence.
However, according to a probable cause affidavit, Bowen had previously murdered his spouse during the preceding night. A resident nearby reported observing Metayer walking her canine around midnight, presumably only hours prior to her demise.
Upon law enforcement’s arrival at the residence approximately 10:20 a.m., they noted external damage appearing consistent with bullet impact. Bowen’s parents, who came soon thereafter, informed detectives their son had referenced experiencing a panic episode at his workplace the prior afternoon. His mother stated she was unaware of any matrimonial 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 spouse, indicating she “was not alive.”
Based on the probable cause affidavit, Small informed detectives that Bowen fired at her three times using a shotgun during the prior night and subsequently rested on the lower level.
Law enforcement had been following Bowen’s F-150 pickup vehicle to a parking area in Plantation, where they witnessed him transferring to another individual a bag resembling a firearm-transport case. The individual, subsequently identified as Leslie Washington Jr., informed detectives the pair were Freemasons convening to review an approaching event. Washington stated Bowen additionally provided him 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 state, “Oh s—t, they’re here for me,” as law enforcement placed him under arrest. Bowen promptly invoked his right to legal representation.
Within the couple’s residence, investigators located Metayer Bowen’s remains on a bed in the upper-level primary sleeping quarters. Detectives additionally uncovered three shotgun casings and a cushion bearing scorch marks and a cord configured as an improvised silencer.
The 38-year-old vice mayor had created history in 2020 by becoming Coral Springs’ inaugural Black female and first Haitian American elected to serve the municipality. She secured re-election without opposition in 2024. Based on reports from coworkers, she was getting ready to declare a congressional campaign and had recently laid to rest her brother, Donovan, who perished by suicide 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 conveyed his heartbreak, 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 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 with no bail on the homicide charge. He is subject to an extra $50,000 bail for the evidence tampering accusation. As of Sunday, April 5, his legal proceedings remained awaiting trial.