Coral Springs Police said they are investigating the death of the city鈥檚 vice mayor, Nancy Metayer Bowen, who was found dead in her home on Wednesday morning in a "domestic violence incident."
Metayer Bowen鈥檚 husband, Stephen Bowen, was taken into custody, Coral Springs Police Chief Brad Mock told reporters at a news conference late Wednesday.
Mock said Metayer Bowen was found dead at her home in the 800 block of Northwest 127th Avenue at about 10 a.m. Wednesday after police were notified to do a check on her well being.
No other information was disclosed about the circumstances leading to Metayer Bowen' death.
"This is an active investigation, therefore, [we are] unable to provide any further details at this time and cannot answer any questions," Mock said.
Mock added that the Broward Sheriff's Office, Fort Lauderdale police and Plantation police assisted in the initial investigation.
Late Wednesday, Coral Springs police by contacing the department's "Crimes Against Persons Unit" and Detective Daniel Powers at 954-346-1223 or dpowers@coralsprings.gov.
Metayer-Bowen was first elected as a commissioner in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. Her bio on lists her as the city鈥檚 first Black and Haitian American woman to serve on the Coral Springs city commission.
The vice mayor鈥檚 colleague, Commissioner Joshua Simmons, remembered her at the press conference Wednesday afternoon saying, "鈥妕hat was our battle buddy. She had such a good heart. She truly cared about people."
"Our commission is incomplete. And we know that time is gonna move and time is gonna do its thing. But for us that are in this city and in the city hall that have been touched or impacted by Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen 鈥� that is a loss that is gonna take a lot of time to deal with," said Simmons.
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Statewide lawmakers and others shared their shock and grief over Metayer Bowen's passing.
In remembering Metayer Bowen, State Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, said 鈥淣ancy was someone who truly cared about people and about this community.鈥�
鈥淗er commitment to public service and her belief in the future of our community were clear in everything she did,鈥� Daley said in a statement. 鈥淎nyone who spent even a few minutes with Nancy remembers her smile and enthusiasm for public service,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he lit up a room and made you feel like you mattered. That is a rare quality, and it is something our community was better for.鈥�
鈥淭his is a tremendous loss for Coral Springs,鈥� Daley added. 鈥淢y thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her."
State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, said he was 鈥渄eeply heartbroken鈥� to hear news of Metayer Brown鈥檚 death.
鈥淭he Coral Springs community 鈥� and all of Broward County 鈥� has lost a true champion,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淣ancy was not only a trailblazer, but an incredible friend who showed up for people each and everyday. The world is darker this evening without her light in it.鈥�
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said 鈥渢o lose such a kindhearted, humble servant leader in such a violent and unconscionable way is a shock that reverberates throughout our entire state.鈥�
鈥淪he didn't just hold an office; she held a deep-seated love for her neighbors and a tireless commitment to making Florida a better, safer place for everyone,鈥� Driskell said in a statement.
Florida Democratic Party Chair, Nikki Fried said she had spoken to Metayer Bowen only days ago and hugged her 鈥渁t our Party's Leadership Summit, never imagining it would be one of our last moments together. 鈥�
鈥淣ancy was not simply our Vice Chair of Haitian Outreach. She was a scientist. An environmentalist. A brilliant barrier-breaker who made history as the first Black and Haitian-American woman elected to the Coral Springs City Commission,鈥� Fried said in a statement. 鈥淣ancy was my friend and a friend to everyone who has ever believed that democracy was worth fighting for. The world is less bright without her in it.鈥�
