Daughter speaks after mother’s body found wrapped outside Fort Myers home

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — For the first time, the family of Shirley Henderson is speaking publicly about her death as the man charged in connection with the case appeared in court Wednesday. Robin Bowman, 62, is charged with disturbing a dead body and remains in the Lee County Jail. He appeared for a case management conference as his case continues moving toward trial.

Henderson’s daughter, Precious Henderson, told WINK News her family has spent months waiting for answers.

“It’s really hard,” Precious said. “I just really want this to resolve correctly. I want this to be taken serious.”

The investigation began May 4 at a home on the 3800 block of Highland Avenue in Fort Myers. According to a Fort Myers police report, Bowman’s roommates found Henderson’s body wrapped in plastic and a blanket outside the home and called 911. Officers reported a strong odor of decomposition and a large number of flies around the property. 

Police said Bowman and Henderson were dating and shared a room inside the home. The family confirmed the relationship with WINK News. 

Bowman later told detectives Henderson died April 23 while lying on his bed. According to the report, he said he discovered she had died about four hours later. Investigators said Bowman admitted wrapping Henderson’s body in a long plastic trash bag on April 26. Police said she remained wrapped in the bag for about a week before Bowman wrapped her in a blanket and eventually placed her body over a fence outside the property. Bowman denied harming or killing Henderson and acknowledged he should have called law enforcement. 

Fort Myers police confirmed Wednesday that Henderson’s cause and manner of death remain undetermined. Precious said her family had been trying to find Henderson before learning she had died.

“I knew things weren’t right, but I couldn’t find her. I even went to the soup kitchen on MLK, and I spoke to the people there, and they were like no, we haven't seen her in weeks," she said. "Just to come and find out that you know she was just in the house." 

She said the family wants the case taken seriously and plans to continue attending court hearings.

“She was full of life,” Precious said of her mother. “She was so hyper. She was happy all the time, always smiling. She lit up every room.”

During Wednesday’s hearing, Bowman’s attorney told the judge the defense has received discovery and will waive speedy trial. The defense has requested seven depositions, and there is currently no plea offer. Bowman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2 for a pretrial conference. His attorney was instructed to make sure the requested depositions are scheduled before that hearing.