CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Coral Springs Deputy Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen was shot and killed inside her home on April 1, 2026. Authorities say the incident was an apparent domestic violence incident that shocked the South Florida community and drew attention across the state.
Police conducted a welfare check at Metayer-Bowen’s residence shortly after 10 a.m. and found the 38-year-old elected official dead inside the home. Investigators later determined she was shot to death. Nancy Metayer Bowen was a prominent local leader and rising figure in Florida politics, so her death was especially shocking to residents and colleagues.
Authorities quickly identified her husband, Stephen Bowen, as the prime suspect. He was taken into custody later the same day after initially leaving the scene. Law enforcement officials have indicated the incident is being investigated as a domestic violence-related homicide, and some reports have suggested charges such as premeditated murder and evidence tampering may be included.
Metayer Bowen, a first-generation Haitian-American, was first elected to the Coral Springs City Commission in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. She was the first Black and Haitian-American woman to serve on the commission and was later appointed vice mayor by her fellow commissioners. Before entering politics, he worked as an environmental scientist and was active in disaster response and community initiatives throughout Broward County.
Beyond local government, she was also a key figure in Democratic politics, serving as vice chair of the Florida Democratic Party and playing a role in national campaign efforts. Colleagues described her as a caring leader committed to public service, and Coral Springs officials called her a “light in our community,” whose impact will be long remembered.
Her death comes amid personal tragedy for the family, following the recent loss of her brother, who was a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting and died by suicide in late 2025. Local leaders and residents expressed sadness and called for increased attention to domestic violence and gun-related incidents as the investigation continues.
The Coral Springs Police Department said the case remains active and more details are expected as investigators continue to collect evidence. Meanwhile, tributes are pouring in from across Florida in honor of Metayer Bowen, a pioneering public servant who lost his life.
