Brother of Coral Springs vice mayor dies at 26 after years of struggling with schizophrenia and mental health challenges
Coral Springs, Florida – The Coral Springs community is mourning the death of Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, 26, the younger brother of Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, who died by suicide on December 15 after a prolonged struggle with schizophrenia. His passing has left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends.
“As I continue to navigate my grief, I am not in a space to carry conversations at this time, but please know your kindness has not gone unnoticed,” Metayer Bowen wrote in a Facebook post, expressing the depth of her sorrow while acknowledging the outpouring of support from her community.
In an official statement, the Metayer family described Donovan’s passing as “a sorrow beyond words – one that will echo through our lives, forever.” They emphasized that their youngest child’s death marks not only the loss of a loved one but also a reminder of the fragile and often overlooked mental health struggles faced by young adults today.
Donovan, affectionately called “Donny” by his family, was remembered for his intelligence, warmth, and charisma. According to the family’s GoFundMe tribute, he had a “magnetic humor and warmth that could light up any room,” paired with a sharp intellect that allowed him to excel academically.
A graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Donovan’s senior year coincided with the tragic 2018 Parkland school shooting. The trauma of that event, the loss of classmates, and the ensuing emotional toll profoundly impacted his mental health. “The trauma of that day and the loss of classmates lingered long after graduation and profoundly altered the course of his life,” the family said, underscoring how a single tragic event can shape a young person’s emotional trajectory for years to come.
Following graduation, Donovan began to withdraw from friends and family as symptoms of depression and emotional instability intensified. Though he had dreams of attending college and pursuing a career in computer science, his mental health challenges repeatedly interfered with these plans. Over the years, he was hospitalized multiple times due to suicidal thoughts, and his family noted the difficulty he experienced in fully accepting his diagnosis.
“Treatment — therapy, medication, and constant adjustments — was a journey marked by exhaustion,” the family wrote. They also highlighted the systemic barriers Donovan faced, pointing to the additional challenges encountered by young Black men navigating mental health care in America. “Finding care through limited resources, systemic barriers, and the realities of navigating mental health crises as a young Black man made his path all the more steep,” they said.
In 2021, Donovan experienced a mental health crisis that resulted in him being Baker-acted and temporarily barred from purchasing a firearm through a Risk Protection Order. In the months and years that followed, Henderson Behavioral Health and a private psychiatrist became key supports, helping him regain a sense of stability. With their assistance, Donovan earned an IT certificate and began working at an Office Depot in Coral Springs, where he received a promotion. “After years of challenges, he was beginning to carve out a sense of independence and a future he could believe in,” the family said.
Despite these strides, tragedy struck once again. Earlier this month, Donovan discovered that his Risk Protection Order had lapsed and subsequently purchased a handgun. One week later, he took his own life inside the family home, leaving his loved ones reeling and prompting renewed discussion about the intersection of mental health care and gun safety.
The Metayer family framed Donovan’s death as both personal and societal, highlighting the broader implications for communities struggling with mental illness and the enduring effects of gun violence. “His death is a heartbreaking reminder of the mental health crisis plaguing our youth and the lasting trauma of gun violence on our community,” the statement read.
In the wake of their loss, the family has chosen to speak openly about Donovan’s life and struggles, hoping to help others and honor his memory. “As we grieve his loss, we are breaking the code of silence in his memory,” they said. “Though Donny’s life was brief, his impact will be everlasting.”
To celebrate Donovan’s life and extend his legacy, the family is raising funds to cover his memorial services and establish the Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer Endowment Fund. This fund will support mental health care, housing, and assistance for individuals facing behavioral health challenges across Florida. Those wishing to contribute can do so through the family’s GoFundMe campaign.
Donovan’s story is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many young adults living with mental illness and the importance of community, awareness, and accessible care. His journey—from the trauma of a school shooting, through years of fluctuating mental health, to moments of personal achievement—reflects both the fragility and resilience of those navigating these struggles.
For friends, family, and the Coral Springs community, Donovan will be remembered not only for his brilliance and humor but also for the love and warmth he brought into every room. As the family continues to process their grief, they hope that by sharing his story, they can spark a conversation about the urgent need for mental health resources, early intervention, and understanding the unique obstacles faced by young Black men in mental health care.
The tragic loss of Donovan Metayer underscores the ongoing crisis of mental illness among youth and the urgent necessity of breaking stigma, increasing access to care, and supporting families navigating these heart-wrenching challenges. His life, though cut short, serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon for change, leaving an enduring imprint on those who knew him and those who will be reached by his story.
