Florida Dem Nancy Bowen's husband charged with her murder in brutal shotgun killing—confessed to uncle he 'couldn’t take it anymore'

Nancy Metayer Bowen, Coral Springs' vice mayor, was pronounced dead after officials discovered her body in her Florida home on Wednesday. Her husband, Stephen Bowen, was arrested in connection with her death and has been charged with premeditated murder and evidence tampering.

Bowen, a 38-year-old Democrat, was the first Haitian-American to serve in her role and was actively in the process of launching a congressional campaign, according to the Miami Herald. Her husband, Stephen allegedly used a pillow case as he shot her with three shotgun rounds on Tuesday evening, per WPLG, citing court documents.

The 40-year-old now charged with his wife’s murder reportedly wrapped her body in blankets and a garbage bag. After shooting her on the second floor, he slept on the first floor that night, court documents stated. The next morning at around 10 am, he went to his uncle and confessed that “he did something to (his wife)” and said “she was not alive.”

When he was asked why he would kill her, Stephen Bowen said he “couldn’t take it anymore,” according to court documents.

The Coral Springs Police Department said officers were sent to Nancy Bowen’s home around 10 am Wednesday to conduct a welfare check in the 800 block of Northwest 127 Ave. Upon arrival, officers located Bowen's dead body inside her home. Bowen's death is being investigated as a domestic violence incident. The investigation remains ongoing.

Bowen was first elected in 2020 and won her reelection campaign for vice mayor in 2024. Her colleagues remembered her as a kind fighter with a lively spirit.

"Nancy was our battle buddy. She had a good heart," said Coral Springs Commissioner Joshua Simmons. "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, and went to every event that she could go to."

Florida Democrat Congressman Jared Moskowitz said Bowen was preparing to launch her congressional campaign in hopes of replacing embattled Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who has been indicted on federal felony charges for her alleged role in a scheme involving the theft of FEMA funds.

"Nancy was one of the nicest people I worked with," said Rep. McCormick on X. "Always fighting for her community, always pushing to help. She had such a future. This is terrible."

Bowen received several awards for her environmental efforts throughout her political career and was named in the Top 20 under 40 by the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava released a statement saying that Bowen's death has left her heartbroken. "She cared deeply about our environment and about equity, and used her voice without hesitation," said Cava, according to the paper. "As Vice Mayor, she never lost sight of the people she was fighting for."