Authorities in Florida announced the shocking death of Nancy Metayer Bowen, the vice mayor of Coral Springs, whose husband has been charged in connection with her death.

Tragic Discovery in Coral Springs

Bowen, 38, was found dead in her Coral Springs home around 10 a.m. on April 1 during a well-being check. Police said her husband, Stephen Bowen, 40, was arrested and charged with premeditated murder and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

The police have not disclosed the exact cause of death. Her passing came months after her brother’s suicide and just days before she was set to announce a congressional run, according to Florida lawmaker Rep. Jared Moskowitz.

Trailblazing Public Servant

Nancy Metayer Bowen was the first Black and Haitian-American woman to serve on the Coral Springs city commission. Her family remembered her as a leader with “integrity, compassion, and an unwavering sense of purpose.”

“She believed in bringing people together, listening to those she served, and working tirelessly to create positive change,” the family said.

Bowen earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and a master’s in health and science from Johns Hopkins University. She was an environmental scientist, a former member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation District, and a member of the Florida League of Cities’ 2025-26 Federal Action Strike Team.

Community Reacts to Loss

Rep. Moskowitz wrote on social media, “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 also acknowledged her brother, Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, who died at 26 following mental health struggles after surviving the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting.

The Coral Springs government page called Bowen “a light in our community” whose “leadership was grounded in compassion, strength, and an unwavering commitment to others.” Officials encouraged residents to support her family and honor her legacy.

No Threat to the Public

Coral Springs Police Chief Brad Mock confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public and emphasized that the investigation is active.

The city and community now mourn a trailblazer whose impact and leadership leave a lasting void.