A Colombian man has been found guilty of the horrific double murder of a gay couple in London, whose dismembered bodies were discovered in suitcases, one of which was abandoned on a bridge in Bristol.
On 15 July 2024, Metropolitan Police confirmed that Yostin Andres Mosquera, 34, of Scotts Road, Shepherd’s Bush, had been charged with the murders of Albert Alfonso (62) and Paul Longworth (71) — a couple who had lived together in West London.
The verdict came on Monday, 21 July, following a harrowing trial that revealed disturbing details of Mosquera’s calculated and brutal crimes.
A Trusted Guest Turned Killer
Mosquera, who had been staying with the couple at their Shepherd’s Bush flat, was reportedly first introduced to Mr Alfonso through an online platform. Over time, the couple formed a friendship with Mosquera, even travelling to visit him in Colombia, and later flying him to the UK to stay with them on multiple occasions.
But on 8 July, that friendship turned deadly.
During the trial, it was revealed that Mosquera killed Mr Longworth first, attacking him with a hammer and fatally shattering his skull. He then hid the body in a divan bed inside the couple’s flat.
That same evening, while engaging in sexual activity with Mr Alfonso, Mosquera stabbed him 22 times. The room had been fitted with surveillance cameras, which recorded the entire attack.
Graphic Footage Shown in Court
CCTV footage of the murder was presented to the jury multiple times. Sky News reporter Alice Porter, who was present in court, described the footage as the “worst” she had ever seen.
“The judge warned the jury about the graphic video… One jury member did not return the next day. The sound of screaming was hard to forget,” she said.
After the killings, Mosquera decapitated both victims, placing their heads in a freezer he had ordered online and had delivered on 9 July. He then packed the other body parts into suitcases.
On 10 July, Mosquera hired a van and enlisted a driver to transport him and the luggage to Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, where prosecutors believe he intended to dispose of the remains by throwing them off the structure.
Pre-Meditation and Financial Motive
Evidence presented in court showed Mosquera had planned the murders weeks in advance. He had:
- Researched how to make a fatal blow to the head
- Searched online for the value of the couple’s property
- Ordered the freezer before the killings
- Accessed Mr Alfonso’s bank accounts immediately after the murder
He also stole money from the victims, leading prosecutors to argue the murders were financially motivated.
Police and Judge Respond to “Disturbing” Case
Detective Chief Inspector Stride, the lead investigator, described the case as “one of the most disturbing” he had ever worked on.
“The video of the murder is really shocking. Within seconds of killing Mr Alfonso, [Mosquera] sings, dances, and immediately logs into his victim’s bank accounts,” he said.
Mr Justice Bennathan KC will sentence Mosquera on 24 October, requesting a psychiatric report be prepared prior to sentencing.
