The Coral Springs, Florida, community gathered in a powerful show of unity and remembrance on April 3, honoring the life of Haitian-American Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen during a candlelight vigil days after her tragic death.
Residents, family members, community leaders, and friends assembled outside Coral Springs City Hall, where a sea of orange and green — the colors of Florida A&M University, Metayer Bowen’s alma mater and favorite colors — filled the area in tribute.
Metayer Bowen, widely described as vibrant, compassionate, and driven, left a profound impact on the South Florida community. Attendees lit candles, shared stories, and observed moments of silence, creating an atmosphere of reflection, healing, and collective strength.
The vigil also featured a digital memorial presentation provided by Mobile Billboard Miami. A mobile digital Jumbotron displayed images of Metayer Bowen along with messages of love and remembrance from the community.
“It was an honor to support the Coral Springs community and provide our digital billboard to help celebrate Nancy’s life and create a meaningful shared moment of remembrance,” a representative from the company said.
The gathering came days after police said Metayer Bowen was found shot to death inside her home on Wednesday morning. Authorities later took her husband, Stephen Bowen, into custody in nearby Plantation, Florida.
According to the Coral Springs Police Department, Stephen Bowen allegedly shot his wife inside their home. An arrest report indicated that he later told a relative he shot her because he “couldn’t take it anymore.”
Scott Brook, Mayor of Coral Springs, wore a ribbon reading “Forever in Our Hearts” during the vigil and reflected on Metayer Bowen’s legacy.
“She was an incredible human being and maybe the brightest light in Coral Springs, and a good friend,” Brook said.
Known for her leadership, community engagement, and commitment to public service and the Haitian community, Metayer Bowen’s death has left a deep void in Coral Springs and across South Florida. Organizers said the vigil was intended not only to honor her life but also to demonstrate unity and support for her loved ones during an extremely difficult time.
The evening closed with candles glowing across City Hall grounds — a symbol of remembrance for a leader many described as a guiding light in the Coral Springs community.
