‘Partying, arguing and loud love songs’ before alleged murder

Neighbours have described hearing arguing and partying in the days leading up to the discovery of woman’s body in a room at a Sunshine Coast resort.

Jeffrey James Godfrey has been charged with the murder of his wife, Vanessa.

Neighbours have described hearing arguing and partying in the days leading up to the discovery of woman’s body in a room at a Sunshine Coast resort.

Vanessa Godfrey, 46, was found dead on Monday afternoon at Pelican Waters Resort after staff were contacted to conduct a welfare check.

Her husband Jeffery James Godfrey has been charged with her domestic violence murder.

A resident in the building, who asked to not be named, said the couple had been holed up in their room on the fourth floor for two days since they’d checked in.

It’s understood the couple had been staying at the resort to attend a friend’s 60th birthday party.

Mrs Godfrey had worked as a site manager for Puma Energy.

Puma’s parent company, Chevron Australia Downstream, said it will be providing support to Vanessa’s colleagues.

“Our thoughts are with Vanessa’s family and friends,” a statement from the company said.

“We are providing support to our team members affected by this tragedy at this difficult time.”

Jeffrey had previously owned his own cleaning business, PackaPunch Pressure Cleaning.

It’s understood the business shut town several months ago.

Neighbours said they heard people arguing and partying for two days in the room and at one stage they were singing love songs loudly to each other.

Melanie Ridgewell, who also lives in the building, said she was shocked when she returned on Monday from the school run with her kids to find the place swarming with police.

“There were four police cars, four ambulances and I was just trying to get the kids in from school,” she said.

“We were trying to get up the lift to see if everyone was right because I have a daughter up there but you couldn’t get through this front part.

“It feels a bit seedy because you’ve been in the same place but you’ve got to get on with it.”

Jeffrey and Vanessa Godfrey were legally married but were understood to be living separately.

In 2019, Mrs Godfrey posted online to wish her husband a happy 24th wedding anniversary.

Jeffery James Godfrey and Vanessa Godfrey on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied

The romantic post revealed the couple met when Ms Godfrey was just 17 years old.

“To the absolute love of my life, when I met you at 17yrs old (sic) I couldn’t have imagined the life we would create and build together,” she wrote on Facebook, alongside a wedding photo of the pair.

“You are my best friend, my lover, my companion and my drinking buddy.

“I am so grateful to be sharing my life with you. I love you more than these words and life itself my beautiful hubby.”