A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of two men whose remains were found in suitcases in Bristol, Irish Examiner reports.
Yostin Andres Mosquera, of Scotts Road in Shepherds Bush, west London, was charged earlier on Monday with the murders of Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, between July 8 and 10 in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
At a short hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, the 34-year-old defendant, who was assisted by a Spanish interpreter, said only his name, address and date of birth. He was remanded in custody and will next appear before the Old Bailey on Wednesday.
Lead magistrate Christina Ruiz told him:
“You are remanded in custody as this court has no powers to consider bail.”
Mr. Longworth was British and Mr. Alfonso was originally from France but had been granted British citizenship, the Metropolitan Police said. The two men had previously been in a relationship and still lived together in a flat in Scotts Road.
Police said both victims were acquainted with Mosquera and he had been living with them at the Scotts Road address for a short period of time. Police said evidence gathered during the investigation did not indicate a homophobic motive, but the offence had been classified as a hate crime under national guidelines.
This will be reviewed if clearer evidence emerges. Police officers are also working to establish whether there have been any related offences or incidents in the UK or abroad to “build up a full picture of the circumstances”, although none have been identified so far.
Condolences to families of victims in Bristol
Following the announcement of Mosquera being charged, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said:
“My thoughts are first and foremost with Albert and Paul’s loved ones who are coming to terms with this terrible news. While we do not believe either of them had any close family, we have identified other next of kin who have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. We are continuing to try and identify any extended family members. I know that this awful incident will cause concern not just among residents in Shepherd’s Bush but in the wider LGBTQ+ community across London. I hope it will be of some reassurance that whilst enquiries 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.”
He also added:
“Officers have worked with the pan-London LGBTQ+ Independent Advisory Group (IAG) since the identity of the two victims and their sexuality was established. Their advice, expertise and support for the investigation has been extremely valuable. We will continue to work with them, and with other partners including local IAGs, as the investigation and the policing response continues.”
Mosquera was arrested in the Bristol area in the early hours of Saturday morning following a joint operation by London Metropolitan Police and Avon and Somerset Police.
The remains were found in two suitcases dumped near Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday, while another remains were discovered at an address in Scotts Road on Friday.
