A candlelight vigil will be held Friday evening to celebrate the life of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, who was shot and killed in her home this week, allegedly by her husband.
The memorial event, which is open to the public, will be at Coral Springs City Hall, 9500 W. Sample Rd.
Attendees are encouraged to bring white candles and wear or bring something orange or green — the colors of her first collegiate alma mater, Florida A&M University.
A first-generation American of Haitian descent, environmental scientist and rising figure in the Democratic Party, Metayer Bowen built a reputation as a trailblazing public servant in Broward County.
She served on the Broward Soil and Water Conservation District before winning a seat on the Coral Springs Commission in 2020, becoming the first Black and Haitian American woman elected to the body.
Re-elected unopposed in 2024, she advanced initiatives tied to economic development, small-business support and youth programs while also serving on regional boards related to housing, climate and education.
Beyond local office, Metayer Bowen was active in Democratic politics and advocacy. She worked on Haiti relief efforts, held roles with what is now Florida Rising, and was tapped during the 2024 election cycle to serve as Florida Caribbean Vote Director for the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden and, later, Kamala Harris.
Last year, the Florida Democratic Party named her Vice Chair of Haitian American Voter Engagement, reflecting her growing influence within the party. Colleagues widely viewed her as an emerging leader with broader political ambitions.
She held a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, regulation and policy from FAMU and a master of environmental health sciences from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Metayer Bowen, 38, was found dead Wednesday at her Coral Springs home after police conducted a wellness check prompted by concerns from a friend who could not reach her. Coral Springs Police later confirmed the case as a domestic violence-related homicide.
Authorities identified her husband, Stephen Bowen, 40, as a suspect. He was apprehended in Plantation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and is being held without bond on charges of premeditated murder and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
A police report Florida Politics reviewed shows Metayer Bowen died from shotgun wounds.
The case is ongoing.
In a statement shared online, the Metayer family expressed its grief in losing her:
“She was not only a cherished member of our family but also a dedicated public servant who committed her life to improving the lives of others. Throughout her years in public office, she led 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 in her community. To us, she was a source of strength, wisdom, and love — someone who always put others before herself,” the statement read.
“While many knew her as a leader and advocate, we knew her as a sister, a daughter, and a friend whose warmth and laughter filled every room. Her legacy will live on not only in the policies she helped shape but in the countless lives she touched. We are grateful for the outpouring of support and kindness during this difficult time. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate her remarkable life and the lasting impact she leaves behind. We ask for privacy as our family grieves, and we thank everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.”
