Man pleads guilty to murdering Microsoft manager in Thames drowning

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 00:14 · Archive

Nelio Gouveia admitted killing Jennifer Symonds, 44, found drowned in Henley-on-Thames on 6 March.

Nelio Gouveia, 45, pleaded guilty to murdering Jennifer Symonds, 44, at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday. Ms Symonds was found dead in the River Thames next to Phyllis Court Club, a private members' club in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on 6 March. Police were called to Phyllis Court Drive at around 7.50am. A post-mortem examination determined she died from drowning.

Gouveia and Ms Symonds were known to each other. Gouveia worked as a kitchen porter at Phyllis Court Club. The Daily Mail reports that CCTV footage shows the pair arriving together at a Mediterranean-style restaurant at 9.15pm on the evening of 6 March. They left after being told the kitchen was closed. The same outlet reports that a commotion was heard by a pavilion close to the club between 2am and 3am.

Gouveia was arrested at the scene and charged with murder on 8 March. He appeared at court in a grey prison tracksuit with a Portuguese interpreter assisting him. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 20 November. Judge Ian Pringle said the sentencing hearing will be 'retained by a High Court judge', a move normally reserved for the most serious offences.

How it is being reported

• Chilling moment Microsoft manager arrives at restaurant in Henley-on-Thames with her murderer hours before her body is found drowned by private members' clubCCTV footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows Jennifer Symonds, 44, arriving at a Mediterranean-style bistro in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, alongside Nelio Gouveia, 45.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 23:48
• Man pleads guilty to 'heinous' murder of woman in Henley-on-Thames drowning caseNelio Gouveia pleaded guilty to a single count of murder on ThursdayThe Independent · 29 Oct, 17:43
• Man admits murdering Microsoft manager, 44, found drowned next to private members' club on River ThamesNelio Gouveia, 44, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday where he admitted to killing Jennifer Symonds, 44, in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on March 6.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 15:17

In this story: Jennifer Symonds · Nelio Gouveia · Microsoft · Phyllis Court Club · Henley-on-Thames · Thames Valley Police · Oxford Crown Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log