Australian family's desperate bid to rescue two boys after mum allegedly stabbed to death by US husband

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 22:53, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 22:53, 19 July 2026 The grieving family of an Australian woman allegedly murdered by her husband in the US have launched a desperate mission to bring her two young sons to Australia. Mother-of-two Meaghan Bowler, 32, originally from the NSW Central Coast, was allegedly found unresponsive with multiple stab wounds in a bathtub at her South Manatee County home in the United States on April 9. Police attended the home after Jesse Nicholas Jones, 39, allegedly called 911 and told the operator that he had stabbed his wife several times during an argument. Paramedics revived Ms Bowler, but she died later in hospital. Jones was charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody. Two-year-old Jesse and nine-month-old Elijah remain in the US and are currently being cared for by Jones's mother. Ms Bowler's younger sister, Madisson, 27, hopes to adopt her nephews and raise them in Australia. The first step involves putting her livelihood as a tennis coach on hold and relocating to Florida for up to a year. Meaghan Bowler, 32, was allegedly stabbed to her death by her US husband in April  Meaghan's sons - two-year-old Jesse and nine-month-old Elijah remain in the US 'It could be anywhere from 6 to 12 months that the process could take,' Madisson told Nine News. 'I can't turn my back on the lives of those two boys. 'It's a melting point of emotions at the moment.  'We just want them to be happy and healthy.'  Madisson will be joined in the US by her father Tony, who will put his photography business on hold. She said that her sister would have wanted nothing more than to see her children safe and thriving here in Australia. 'I am determined to bring my nephews home to Australia so they can grow up safe, loved, and surrounded by family who will protect them and help them heal,' Madisson wrote on an online fundraiser. 'The children currently do not have US birth certificates or Social Security numbers, which has created major delays.  Madisson Bowler (pictured right with her sister) hopes to raise her nephews here in Australia Meaghan husband Jesse Jones was charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody 'We also need to complete the process for Australian citizenship by descent. All of this takes time, money, and our physical presence in America. 'We are investing everything we have into giving Jesse and Elijah the best possible chance at life.' A former tennis coach and real estate agent, Ms Bowler grew up on the NSW Central Coast and attended Pymble Ladies' College as a boarder. She graduated from the International College of Management with a business degree in 2013 and began her career with AFL club the Sydney Swans as an event executive. She worked as an administrative assistant in recruitment and spent almost a year as a real estate agent for Raine & Horne Mosman. She later returned to the Central Coast, where she worked as a tennis coach. 'She’d walk into a room and everyone looks at her straight away, her energy, her kindness,' her sister recalled It's understood Ms Bowler met her husband online in 2022 and following a long-distance relationship, travelled to the US in 2023 for what was initially supposed to be a three-month stay, but never returned home. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.