The husband accused of killing a Florida Democratic Party vice chairman confessed that he murdered his uncle out of frustration, all while trying to conceal the truth from his wife’s worried friends.
Stephen Bowen is said to have used a pillowcase to muffle the sound when he fired a shotgun three times at Nancy Metayer Bowen, 38, inside their home late Tuesday night, according to arrest documents reported by WPLG.
Bowen, 40, allegedly wrapped his wife’s body in blankets and garbage bags, leaving her in an upstairs bedroom while he slept downstairs, as stated in the paper.
On Wednesday morning, Bowen reportedly went to his uncle’s home and confessed that he had “done something” to his wife, stating that “she was not alive.”
His uncle pressed for details about the incident, particularly regarding the shooting and the body concealment.
As detailed by WPLG, Bowen had tried for weeks to let his uncle handle the bag with the gun, but cautioned him to use gloves or a bag.
When asked why he committed the act, Bowen allegedly replied, “I just couldn’t take it anymore,” according to reports.
The day prior, he had told his mother that he had experienced a panic attack at work and felt the need to talk to his wife that night.
The morning following the incident, Bowen acted as if he didn’t know where his wife had gone. Concerned city officials, noticing her absence at an early appointment, reached out to Bowen for answers.
“Hello, Stephen! This is Lwam. I’m trying to reach Nancy. Could you please ask her to call me?” sent Rwam Garmey, a relationship manager for the Coral Springs Commission.
Later that morning, Garmey received a message from Nancy’s phone about some “needs to be discussed.”
It remains uncertain whether the initial message was sent by Bowen or if his wife had intended to send it before her death.
“I texted her,” Bowen reportedly replied. “She doesn’t pick up the phone.” He added, “Where is she? Her car is not at home.”
Police arrived at the couple’s residence around 10:20 a.m. but received no response until about 2 p.m., when Bowen’s uncle revealed the horrifying scene inside.
Authorities eventually tracked Bowen to an apartment complex nearby, where he was seen passing a gun bag and ammunition to a Masonic associate, according to police reports.
The associate, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed, was unaware of the crime until both were apprehended. Bowen was reported to have exclaimed, “Oh my god, they came here for me.”
Bowen now faces felony charges of first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence and is being held without bail at Broward County Jail.
In the weeks leading up to her death, Metayer Bowen was expected to announce her candidacy for Congress, according to Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz.
