A man has been charged with murder following the discovery of human remains in two suitcases in Bristol and a London flat – as the victims have been named.
Yostin Andres Mosquera, 34, of Scotts Road, west London, was arrested in Bristol in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He was charged in the early hours of Monday with two counts of murder and will appear in custody later the same day at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
The two victims can now be named as 62-year-old Albert Alfonso and 71-year-old Paul Longworth. Paul was British, Albert was originally from France but had obtained British citizenship.
Albert and Paul had previously been in a relationship and still lived together at the flat in Scotts Road.
Both victims were known to the man arrested and he had been staying with them at the Scotts Road flat for a short period of time.
Police and forensics officers at the scene in Shepherd’s Bush
The bodies were discovered by police after they received a report of a man acting suspiciously on Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday night.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said his thoughts are with “Albert and Paul’s loved ones who are coming to terms with this terrible news”.
He said: “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.”
The Metropolitan Police said the evidence gathered so far does not suggest there was a homophobic motive in the case but said officers have followed national guidelines and have initially categorised the incident as a hate crime.
It said this would be reviewed as any clearer evidence of a specific motive becomes available.
Mosquera is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court later on Monday.