A man has admitted murdering a Microsoft manager whose body was discovered in the water beside a private members’ club, with police confirming that he and the victim were known to one another.
Nelio Gouveia, 45, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to killing Jennifer Symonds, 44, in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on March 6.
Wearing a grey prison tracksuit and assisted by a Portuguese interpreter, Gouveia kept his head bowed during the short hearing.
Gouveia, from Henley-on-Thames, was remanded in custody by Judge Ian Pringle. He is due to return to Oxford Crown Court for sentencing on November 20.
Judge Pringle said the sentencing hearing would be ‘retained by a High Court judge’, Mr Justice Jay—a step generally reserved for the most serious offences, including murder.
Three friends of Ms Symonds attended the hearing and appeared visibly emotional after Gouveia entered his guilty plea.
Thames Valley Police began a murder investigation after officers were called to Phyllis Court Drive, beside Phyllis Court Club, a private members’ club on the banks of the River Thames.
Gouveia is understood to have worked as a kitchen porter at the club. Thames Valley Police confirmed that he and Ms Symonds knew each other.
Jennifer Symonds, 44, was found dead in the water in Henley-on-Thames on Friday, March 6
Nelio Gouveia, 45, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday and admitted killing Ms Symonds
Police searched the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, south Oxfordshire, on Saturday, March 7
A post-mortem examination concluded that Ms Symonds died by drowning.
The night before her death, Ms Symonds was captured on CCTV at a Mediterranean-style bistro in Henley-on-Thames at 9.05pm, accompanied by a male friend.
She was wearing a full-length black coat and briefly spoke to a staff member, who told her that the kitchen had closed for the evening.
Ms Symonds waved in thanks before turning around and leaving the restaurant.
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Her body was discovered at 7.50am the next morning on the grounds of the private members’ club, approximately half a mile from the restaurant.
According to LinkedIn, Ms Symonds had worked for Microsoft since 2018.
Her latest role was senior customer success account manager at the technology company’s UK headquarters in Reading. She was made redundant in January 2025.
A friend said: ‘She was finding it tough to get a new job after Microsoft and felt that her life had begun to unravel slightly.
‘She told me that she’d been to court last summer after accusing a former partner of assault but he ended up being cleared.
‘I think Jennifer found that hard to take as well. Recently she’d been struggling with her mental health due to being out of work.
‘But she was a really lovely, warm-hearted person who loved to chat to people around town. She was very well-liked.’
A manager at The Argyll pub in Henley-on-Thames said: ‘Jennifer would pop in now and again, sometimes on her own and sometimes with a group of friends.
‘I found her to be really happy, chatty and friendly. She was a lovely soul.’
Ms Symonds studied physical geography at the University of Gloucestershire, where she captained the hockey team.
Following her death, friends asked people leaving flowers in her memory to place them at a bench on Red Lion Lawn, which they described as her ‘favourite spot’.
Detective Inspector Rob Underhill, the senior investigating officer from the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: ‘My thoughts remain firmly with Jennifer’s family, who have lost someone who was dear to them.
‘Nelio’s actions on 6 March were heinous, and I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty.
‘This case demonstrates Thames Valley Police’s commitment to investigating violence against women and girls.
‘If you are a victim of violence, then please be reassured that we have specially trained officers who will listen and support you.’
