A Florida Democrat was found dead in her home on Wednesday as police arrested her husband in connection to her tragic death.
Nancy Metayer Bowen, the vice mayor of Coral Springs, was found dead in her home at around 10am on Wednesday morning after police conducted a wellness check.
Bowen’s husband, Stephen Bowen, was arrested not long after. It remains unclear where he is being held or what charges he faces, the Miami Herald reported.
Police Chief Brad Mock said at a press conference that Bowen’s death is being treated as a case of domestic violence, and no other suspects or threats are suspected.
The couple celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary in November last year.
Bowen was elected as vice mayor in 2020 and then re-elected in 2024, marking a historic moment as the first Black and Haitian American woman to serve on the city’s commission.
She also served as the Vice Chair of Haitian Outreach for the Florida Democratic Party, WFLA reported.
According to a post on X from Representative Jared Moskowitz, Bowen was gearing up to run for Congress.
Nancy Metayer Bowen, the vice mayor of Coral Springs, was found dead in her home at around 10am on Wednesday morning after conducting a wellness check
According to Representative Jared Moskowitz, Bowen was gearing up to run for Congress
Bowen’s husband, Stephen Bowen, was arrested not long after. It remains unclear where he is being held or what charges he faces
‘I’m in shock,’ Moskowitz wrote. ‘I was just with her on Saturday. She just buried her brother. She was about to announce she was running for Congress.’
‘Nancy was one of the nicest people I worked with. Always fighting for her community, always pushing to help. She had such a future. This is terrible,’ he added.
Bowen’s family wrote a tribute following her tragic and sudden death, describing her as a ‘cherished member’ of the family and a ‘dedicated public servant who committed her life to improving the lives of others.’
‘Throughout her years in public office, she led with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering sense of purpose,’ a statement on Instagram said.
‘She believed in bringing people together, listening to those she served, and working tirelessly to create positive change in her community. To us, she was a source of strength, wisdom, and love—someone who always put others before herself.’
The post continued on to say that, to her family, she was more than a leader and advocate as the public may have known her.
‘We knew her as a sister, a daughter and a friend whose warmth and laughter filled every room,’ her family added.
‘Her legacy will live on not only in the policies she helped shape, but in the countless lives she touched.
Bowen’s family wrote a tribute following her tragic and sudden death, describing her as a ‘cherished member’ of the family and a ‘dedicated public servant who committed her life to improving the lives of others’
Bowen had won several awards in her political and environmental science careers, including the Top 20 under 40 by the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations Clean Water Advocacy Award and the induction into the CLEO Institute
‘We are grateful for the outpouring of support and kindness during this difficult time. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate her remarkable life and the lasting impact she leaves behind.’
At a press conference on Wednesday evening, Coral Springs Commissioner Joshua Simmons and City Manager Catherine Givens shared their condolences.
‘Nancy was our battle buddy. She had a good heart,’ Simmons said, the Herald reported.
‘She truly cared about people even when people were saying some of the most horrible things about her and us. She still cared, rolled up her sleeves, went to every event that she could go to.’
Bowen had won several awards in her political and environmental science careers, including the Top 20 under 40 by the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations Clean Water Advocacy Award and the induction into the CLEO Institute, the outlet reported.
Givens added: ‘To say today is a dark day for us in Coral Springs is an understatement.’
‘There are no words that can truly capture the depth of this loss or the pain this organization and community are dealing with as a result of this senseless tragedy.’
The freshman class of 2006 at the Florida A&M University, where Bowens studied, wrote on Instagram: ‘We honor the life and legacy of our classmate, Nancy Metayer- a proud member of the FAMU Freshman Class of 2006, whose life was a true reflection of purpose, service and Rattler excellence.’
Coral Springs Commissioner described Bowens as their ‘battle buddy’ who had a ‘good heart’ and ‘truly cared about people’
Bowen’s family wrote a tribute following her tragic and sudden death, describing her as a ‘cherished member’ of the family and a ‘dedicated public servant who committed her life to improving the lives of others’
Todd Delmay, executive director of the LGBTQ rights organization SAVE, described Bowen as ‘a light that burned with rare brilliance’
‘Nancy carried the values of Florida A&M University with her every step of the way. She wasn’t just part of our class—she was part of the heartbeat of what made our experience so special. Driven, compassionate, and deeply committed to community, she grew into a leader who dedicated her life to uplifting others,’ the post continued.
‘As a public servant and commissioner in Coral Springs, she stood on the front lines advocating for her community, using her voice to create change and open doors for those who needed it most.
‘Her journey from FAMU student to impactful leader is a testament to the power, brilliance, and resilience that lives within the Class of 2006.
‘But beyond her titles and accomplishments, Nancy will be remembered for her spirit- her warmth, her passion, and the way she made people feel seen, heard, and valued. She embodied the very best of us.
‘We will carry her memory with us- in every reunion event, every celebration, every moment we reflect on how far we’ve come since those days on the yard. Her legacy is forever a part of our story.’
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott wrote: ‘My dear sweet, fearless friend may you rest in eternal peace. Love you forever.’
Former member of Florida House Shevrin Jones wrote: ‘ I’m still trying to process this. Nancy Metayer, you were my friend, my sister, and one of the realest people in this work. You didn’t just talk about change, you moved it. You showed up for people in ways most only talk about. We had more to do. This one hurts, deeply.’
Todd Delmay, executive director of the LGBTQ rights organization SAVE, described Bowen as ‘a light that burned with rare brilliance.’
Bowen had only buried little brother, Donovan, in December after he died by suicide following a seven year battle with schizophrenia
‘Nancy Metayer Bowen was more than a colleague in the fight for justice; she was our sister in spirit,’ he continued on Facebook.
‘From the halls of the Florida Capitol, to protesting the fall of Roe, to the streets of the Jerusalem Pride parade, I watched Nancy move through the world with a singular mission: to understand, to protect, to advocate and to lead. She saw her fight for equality as part of a larger, shared struggle—a true ally and a fierce accomplice to all who are marginalized.
‘During my time as President of the Dolphin Democrats, we honored her with the Justin Flippen Leadership Award (another young leader gone too soon), and celebrated both her progress and her promise.
‘We may always wonder what more she would have achieved, but I will forever be grateful for the way she touched our hearts and stirred our imaginations.’
Bowen had only buried little brother, Donovan, in December after he died by suicide following a seven year battle with schizophrenia, Bowen wrote on Facebook.
A GoFundMe for a mental health fund in the 26-year-old’s name described his loss as ‘a sorrow beyond words.’
‘A graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, his senior year was marked by the Parkland shooting, one of the most devastating acts of gun violence in our nation’s history. The trauma of that day and the loss of classmates lingered long after graduation and profoundly altered the course of his life,’ the fundraiser said.
