Rebecca Wages, a 40-year-old woman from Panama City, FL, was found dead on April 23, 2020, in a trailer located at 1110 Sherman Ave. in Cedar Grove. The Bay County Sheriff's Office reported that she was shot and killed in the early hours of the morning. The incident occurred after Wages confronted Jason Bowen, a 38-year-old man, accusing him of stealing a power cord from her trailer. According to the sheriff's office, Wages was carrying a stun gun/flashlight and used it to stun a man at the door of Bowen's trailer before entering and confronting Bowen. Bowen then allegedly shot Wages with a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun, which was later found under her right thigh. Bowen's account of the events changed multiple times during interviews, and it remains unclear if he was also stunned by Wages or simply shot her upon her entry.
Following the incident, Bowen was arrested at the scene and charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence. He was also charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A search of Bowen's residence revealed a power cord similar to the one Wages accused him of stealing, as well as methamphetamine. Bowen allegedly confessed to shooting Wages, wiping his fingerprints off the gun, and placing it near her body. He was booked into the Bay County Jail, and the case was handled by the State Attorney's Office, 14th Judicial Circuit.
The investigation into Wages' death revealed that she was angry about the theft and had confronted Bowen at his trailer. Witnesses reported that she demanded to speak to "Jay" and used the stun gun on a man at the door before entering the trailer. Bowen's inconsistent statements and the presence of the stolen power cord and drugs at his residence contributed to the charges against him. The case highlights the tragic consequences of a confrontation over a seemingly minor theft, leading to a fatal shooting and subsequent legal proceedings.
