Microsoft Executive Drowned Hours After Dinner With Killer

CCTV footage shows Jennifer Symonds, a 44-year-old former Microsoft executive, arriving at a restaurant in Henley-on-Thames with Nelio Gouveia, 45, hours before her body was found drowned by the River Thames. The pair were seen entering a Mediterranean-style bistro at 9:15 p.m. on March 6. A waiter informed them the kitchen was closed, and they subsequently left.

Symonds was found by the River Thames within the grounds of the Phyllis Court private members' club at 7:50 a.m. the following morning. Earlier that evening, she had met Gouveia for drinks in Henley. A commotion was reportedly heard near the club between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.

Gouveia, who is understood to have worked as a kitchen porter at the club, was arrested at the scene. He pleaded guilty to murder at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody pending sentencing on November 20.

Symonds had been a senior customer success account manager at Microsoft's UK headquarters in Reading for over six years before being made redundant in January 2025. It is unclear how she met Gouveia or the nature of their relationship, though it is understood she had arranged to meet him that day.

Prior to her role at Microsoft, Symonds worked for various companies in London and Gloucester and studied physical geography at the University of Gloucestershire. Friends described her as a "lovely, warm-hearted person" who was struggling with her mental health due to unemployment. She had previously reported an alleged assault by a former partner, who was later cleared.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Rob Underhill of Thames Valley Police stated, "Nelio's actions on March 6 were heinous, and I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty." He added, "This case demonstrates Thames Valley Police's commitment to investigating violence against women and girls."