The remains of two gay men, Albert Alfonso (62) and Paul Longworth (71), were found stuffed inside suitcases in London.
LGBTQ Nation reports that police found Alfonso and Longworth’s bodies on Wednesday, July 10 after receiving reports of suspicious activity on Clifton Suspension Bridge. When they arrived shortly after midnight, they found human bodies inside two separate suitcases that were dumped on the bridge.
More remains were found at the victims’ apartment in Scotts Road, West London in the Shepherd’s Bush neighborhood.
The suspect, Yostin Andres Mosquera (34), had been staying with the victims for a short period according to police. Longworth and Alfonso were in a relationship but had broken up and were still living together at the flat.
Mosquera allegedly traveled to the bridge via taxi and had fled the scene by the time police arrived. He was arrested by armed police at Temple Meads railway station in Bristol on Saturday, July 13. He appeared in court at the Old Bailey on Monday facing murder charges. He was formally accused of murder by the prosecutor, Teresa Hay, who attended the hearing via video link.
Mosquera is expected to appear in court again on October 2 to deliver his plea to the charges. No other suspects are being pursued at this time, as the police believe Mosquera acted alone in this crime.
The case is being classified as a hate crime. However, police have noted that they do not believe there was a “homophobic motive” behind the murder. The hate crime classification will significantly impact how the case is being approached. According to police, it “will assist in shaping elements of the investigation” and “will be reviewed as any clearer evidence of a specific motive becomes available.”
Commissioner Valentine has stated that the investigation will work with the pan-London LGBTQ+ Independent Advisory Group (IAG) due to the identities of the victims. The Commissioner also expressed support for the victim’s loved ones, acknowledging the greater impact that this crime has on the LGBTQ+ community: “I know that this awful incident will cause concern not just among residents in Shepherds Bush but in the wider LGBTQ+ community across London.”
Neighbors of Longworth and Alfonso told the Independent that they were “a very nice couple” who were always polite. Another neighbor called them “just lovely guys.”
Mosquera has not been found to have previously committed any other crimes in the U.K. or overseas. A judge ordered him to be held without bail until his appearance in criminal court on Wednesday, where his defense barrister did not make an application for bail.
