Florida Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen Murdered

Tragedy has struck the Coral Springs community with the devastating loss of Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen. Found dead in her home on Wednesday, April 1st, her death has sent shockwaves through the city. Adding to the heartbreak, Metayer Bowen was the sister of Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting who tragically died by suicide just three months prior.

A Double Tragedy for the Family

Donovan, who was 26 when he passed in December 2025, had been battling schizophrenia for years. He was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 when the horrific shooting occurred, claiming the lives of 17 students and staff. Following the trauma, Donovan experienced significant mental health episodes, leading to his diagnosis. His family, including Nancy, launched a GoFundMe after his death to help with funeral costs and to establish a fund supporting mental health services at the Henderson Behavioral Health clinic.

Now, the family faces the unimaginable grief of losing another loved one under violent circumstances. Nancy Metayer Bowen’s husband, 40-year-old Stephen Bowen, has been arrested and charged with her murder. Authorities apprehended him in Plantation, Florida, and he is currently being held at the Broward Main Jail. The killing is being investigated as a premeditated act linked to domestic violence.

Confession and Investigation Details

According to reports from the Coral Springs Police Department, Stephen Bowen confessed to his uncle on Tuesday, March 31st, stating he was experiencing a panic attack and needed to speak with his wife. The following day, he appeared at his uncle’s home, admitting he had “done something to her” and that Nancy was “not alive.” He further confessed to shooting her three times and then sleeping downstairs in their home.

Concerns about Metayer Bowen’s whereabouts arose when she failed to attend a scheduled meeting. A colleague texted her husband, who replied that she wasn’t picking up – unaware she had already passed away. Investigators confirmed that the steak knife used in the attack was reportedly taken from the couple’s home.

Remembering a Leader and Loved One

The family of Nancy Metayer Bowen has requested privacy during this incredibly difficult time and asks for prayers. In a heartfelt statement posted on her social media, they remembered her not just as a leader and advocate, but as a “sister, a daughter, and a friend whose warmth and laughter filled every room.” They expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and emphasized that her legacy will continue through the policies she shaped and the lives she touched.