A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a woman whose body was found in Henley-on-Thames earlier this year. Nelio Gouveia, 45, admitted the murder of Jennifer Symonds, 44, at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday 29 October 2026.

Ms Symonds was found dead on the morning of Friday 6 March 2026, after officers were called to Phyllis Court Drive in Henley-on-Thames at around 7.50am. A post-mortem examination concluded that she died from drowning. Police have said that Ms Symonds and Gouveia were known to each other, and that Gouveia was arrested on the same day and charged on 8 March.

Court hearing and sentencing date

Gouveia, formerly of Phyllis Court Drive, appeared at Oxford Crown Court with the help of a Portuguese interpreter and entered a guilty plea to one count of murder. Judge Ian Pringle remanded him in custody and set sentencing for Friday 20 November at the same court. The sentencing hearing will be retained by a High Court judge, Mr Justice Jay, with three hours listed — a step normally reserved for the most serious cases.

Friends of Ms Symonds who attended the hearing were visibly emotional after the plea was entered, according to court reporting. No motive has been stated in the reports of the hearing, and this brief does not speculate about one.

Police response

Thames Valley Police said Ms Symonds' next of kin are being supported by specialist family liaison officers, and asked that the family's privacy be respected. Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Rob Underhill, of the force's Major Crime Unit, said his thoughts remained with Ms Symonds' family and described Gouveia's actions on 6 March as heinous. He added that the case demonstrated the force's commitment to investigating violence against women and girls, and urged any victim of violence to seek support from specially trained officers.

Sources: Greatest Hits Radio / Thames Valley Police statement; The Sun.