The two men whose remains were found in Bristol and London last week belong to a British man and his French ex-partner, police have revealed – as a 34-year-old man who had been staying with them is charged with two counts of murder.
Yostin Andres Mosquera, 34, of Scotts Road, west London, will appear in custody later today at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
The remains were found in two suitcases dumped near Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol on Wednesday, while further remains were found at the Scotts Road property on Friday.
Police have today named the two victims as 62-year-old Albert Alfonso and 71-year-old Paul Longworth. Mr Longworth was British and Mr Alfonso was originally from France but had obtained British citizenship.
The two men had previously been in a relationship and still lived together at the Scotts Road flat.
They were known to the suspect, who had been staying with them for a short period of time, police said.
Wednesday July 10: At 11.57pm, Avon and Somerset Police receive reports of a man acting suspiciously – including allegedly dumping a suitcase on Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Police officers arrive within 10 minutes and find a second suitcase nearby. The suspect had already fled
Thursday July 11: Police release a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident. Detectives confirm human remains were found in suitcases.
Friday July 12: Police confirm remains belong to two adult men – as Met take over manhunt.
Officers search a property in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, before a 36-year-old man is arrested and released without charge.
Police say more human remains are found at the flat in Shepherd’s Bush.
Saturday July 13: Met Police arrest a 34-year-old man in at Bristol Temple Meads Station.
Monday July 15: Yostin Andres Mosquera is charged with two counts of murder and victims are named as Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth.
Police said that they do not believe there was a ‘homophobic motive’ from the evidence gathered so far, but they have initially categorised the incident as a ‘hate crime’ under national guidelines.
Avon and Somerset Police officers were first alerted to a man acting suspiciously on Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday night.
They swooped on the scene within 10 minutes, where they found two suitcases dumped with human remains.
Further remains were found at the west London address on Friday.
Mosquera was arrested at Bristol Temple Meads Station in the early hours of Saturday.
A 36-year-old man was arrested in Greenwich, south-east London, the day before but was released without charge.
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 Shepherds 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.
‘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.’