A MAN has pleaded guilty to murdering a Microsoft worker who was found drowned by a private members’ club.
Jennifer Symonds, 44, was discovered dead in the river by the Phyllis Court club in Henley-on-Thames in March.
Nelio Gouveia appeared at Oxford Crown Court today where he admitted murder.
The 45-year-old, who required a Portuguese interpreter, was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on November 20.
Three of Jennifer’s friends, who were in court for the hearing, appeared emotional after the plea.
The horror unfolded on March 6 after police received reports a woman had drowned in the Thames.
Jennifer’s body was pulled from the water as specialist officers and police divers were seen scouring the water.
A post-mortem examination recorded her cause of death as drowning.
According to LinkedIn, Jennifer had worked for Microsoft since 2018 as a senior customer success account manager at the firm’s UK headquarters in Reading.
She studied physical geography at the University of Gloucestershire between 2000 and 2003, where she was also hockey captain.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police previously said: “Officers were called to Phyllis Court Drive, Henley, on Friday (March 6) following the death of a woman.
“This woman has been identified as Jennifer Symonds, aged 44, from Henley. A formal identification will follow in due course.
“Her next of kin are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers and our thoughts remain with the family.
“Jennifer’s family have requested that their privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”
