The deputy mayor of Florida was found dead in her home, her husband has been charged with murder

A Florida vice mayor who was seen as a rising political star was found dead in her home Wednesday and her husband was arrested on suspicion of first degree murder, authorities said.

Sign up to read this story without ads

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

The body of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen was found by medical examiners, according to a statement from the city. The Coral Springs Police Department, in Broward County, began an investigation.

Metayer Bowen’s husband, Stephen Bowen, was arrested following the initial investigation, the city said, adding that “this incident was determined to be domestic” and there are no other suspects at this time.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office website listed Bowen, 40, as being in custody and booked on charges of first degree murder and tampering with or tampering with physical evidence.

Before becoming deputy mayor, Metayer Bowen was the first black and African American female commissioner of Coral Springs. He was first elected in 2020 and up for re-election in 2024, according to the city’s website. In 2025, he was nominated to serve a second term as vice mayor of the city of Coral Springs by his fellow commissioners, according to the city’s website.

Metayer Bowen was also an environmental scientist and, prior to his role on the Coral Springs City Commission, “led environmental justice efforts throughout the state of Florida, focusing on improving community resilience,” according to the city’s website.

The city said that during his time as a member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation District, his work was “instrumental in solving water problems and responding to major natural disasters, including Hurricanes Irma, Michael and Dorian.”

Metayer Bowen’s family released a statement saying “he is a beloved member of our family, but also a dedicated public servant dedicated to improving the lives of others.”

Throughout his years in public office, he has led with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering sense of purpose. “He believed in bringing people together, listening to those he served, and working hard to make a positive change in his community,” wrote the Metayer family. To us, he was a source of strength, wisdom, and love—a person who always put others before himself.”

“His legacy will continue not only in the goals he helped shape, but also in the countless lives he touched,” the family said.

Lawmakers across the country expressed their sympathy and shock over the death of the “beloved” deputy mayor while praising his leadership.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in a statement Wednesday that “it is with a broken heart and deep sorrow that the Florida Democratic Party mourns the sudden and shocking death of our beloved Vice Chair, Nancy Metayer Bowen.”

“Two weeks ago I talked to Nancy, I caught her at our Group Leadership Conference, I don’t think it will be our last time together,” he said in a statement.

“Nancy was not just our Vice Chair of Haitian Outreach. She was a scientist. An environmentalist. A brilliant activist who made history as the first black and Haitian-American woman elected to the Coral Springs City Commission,” Fried said. “The Deputy Mayor who was seen every day serving the people he served. He loved his community and believed, throughout his life, that a better and more equal future is possible for all of us.”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said on social media he was “shocked” after learning of Metayer Bowen’s death.

“I was just with him on Saturday. He just buried his brother. He was about to announce that he will run for Congress,” he wrote. “Nancy was one of the best people I worked with. She always fought for her community, always pushed to help. She had such a future. This is terrible.”

Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen said in a statement that Metayer Bowen “has served his community with dedication and heart, and the impact of his dedication to the community will be felt throughout Broward County.”

“Our thoughts are with his family, his colleagues, and the community of Coral Springs at this difficult time,” he said.