Man appears in court after couple’s remains found in suitcases on landmark bridge & in ‘bloody’ flat 116 miles away
A MAN has appeared in court accused of murdering a couple whose remains were found in suitcases on a bridge and in a flat 116 miles away.
Albert Alfonso, 62, and 71-year-old Paul Longworth’s body parts were discovered in two cases dumped on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol last Wednesday.
Their remains were also found in the flat they shared in Shepherd’s Bush, West London.
Yostin Andres Mosquera appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with two counts of murder between July 8 and July 10.
The court was told the Colombian national’s “only known” connection to the UK was his “knowledge or friendship” with Albert and Paul.
Prosecutor Teresa Hay said the home in London was searched after information on one of the suitcases linked it to that address.
She added: “Officers attended that address with a search warrant and discovered further human remains and what appeared to be a scene with blood.”
Mosquera, who used a Spanish interpreter, was remanded into custody ahead of a plea hearing on October 2.
A provisional date for a three-week trial was set for April 14 next year.
Albert and Paul had previously been in a relationship and still lived together at the flat in Scotts Road.
They were both known to Mosquera, who had been staying at the home for a short period of time.
Pictures showed the trio on holiday in Colombia together before the tragedy.
Albert was originally from France but had obtained British citizenship, while Paul was British.
The horror unfolded after members of the public reported a man “acting suspiciously” near the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Officers arrived to find a suitcase containing human remains, before discovering another nearby.
A raid was then carried out on the Shepherds Bush flat where further body parts were found.
Mosquera was arrested on Saturday after armed cops swarmed Temple Meads Station in Bristol.
The results of one post-mortem examination were “inconclusive”, while a second is ongoing.
Tributes flooded in for Albert and Paul from their horrified neighbours.
Elizabeth Polmear, 48, described the pair as “lovely people” as she told how Paul had only recently retired.
The mum-of-two added: “It’s just very hard to get my head around what’s happened. The circumstances are so horrific and gruesome.”
One resident, 77, said: “Paul was an outgoing kind of guy. He was very nice and well liked around here.
“I kept thinking I hadn’t seen him in a little while and then we heard the horrendous news he’d been murdered. It has been such a shock.”
Police said they are trying to establish whether there may be any linked offences in the UK or overseas but so far none have been identified.
Scotland Yard also confirmed they do not believe the double killing had a homophobic motive but it has been classified as a hate crime under national guidelines.
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”
