A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of two 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 murdering 62-year-old Albert Alfonso and 71-year-old Paul Longworth between 8 and 10 July in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
The defendant, 34, assisted by a Spanish interpreter, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in a short 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.
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 obtained British citizenship, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The two men had previously been in a relationship and still lived together at a flat in Scotts Road.
Both victims were known to Mosquera and he had been staying with them at the Scotts Road address for a short period of time, police said.
Evidence in the investigation so far has not pointed to a homophobic motive, the Met said, but it has been classified 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 linked offences or incidents in the UK or overseas to “build a full picture of the circumstances”, though none has yet been identified.
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.
“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 following a joint operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police and Avon and Somerset Police.
The remains were found in two suitcases dumped near Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday, while further remains were found at an address in Scotts Road on Friday.
