Murder suspect in court over human remains in suitcases left on Clifton Suspension Bridge

A suspect has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of two gay men whose remains were found in suitcases in Bristol. Yostin Andres Mosquera, of Scotts Road in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, was charged earlier on Monday with the murders of Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, between 8 and July 10, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The incident is being treated as a hate crime.

The 34-year-old defendant, assisted by a Spanish interpreter, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in a brief hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He was remanded in custody and will next appear for a hearing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Mosquera was arrested in the Bristol area in the early hours of Saturday following a joint operation by the Metropolitan Police and Avon and Somerset Police. The remains were found in two suitcases dumped near the Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday, while other remains were found at an address in Scotts Road on Friday.

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Senior Magistrate Christina Ruiz told him: “You are being remanded in custody as this court has no jurisdiction to consider bail.”

Mr Longworth was British and Mr Alfonso was originally from France but had obtained British citizenship, according to the Metropolitan Police. The two men had previously been in a relationship and were still living together at a flat in Scotts Road.

Both victims were known to Mosquera and he stayed with them at the Scotts Road address for a short time, police said. Evidence from the investigation so far did not point to a homophobic motive, the Met said, but it was classed as a hate crime under national guidelines.

This will be reviewed if clearer evidence emerges, while officers are also working to establish whether there are any related offenses or incidents in the UK or abroad to “build a full picture of the circumstances”, although none has yet to be identified.

Following the announcement that Mosquera would be charged, Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said: “My thoughts go out to the loved ones of Albert and Paul as they come to terms with this terrible news.

“While we do not believe any of them had any immediate family, we have identified other close relatives who have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. We are still trying to identify any extended family members.

“I know this horrific incident will cause concern not just for the residents of Shepherd’s Bush, but for the wider LGBTQ+ community in London. I hope it will be some reassurance that although inquiries are still ongoing and the investigation is at a relatively early stage, we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the two murders.

“Officers have been working with the Independent LGBTQ+ Advisory Group (IAG) in London since the identities of the two victims and their sexuality were established. Their advice, expertise and investigative support was invaluable.

“We will continue to work with them and other partners, including local IAGs, as the investigation and police response continues.”