Colombian Man Convicted of Murdering LGBTQ+ Couple, Bodies Found in Suitcases

The LGBTQ+ community in the UK and abroad is reeling after the conviction of Yostin Andres Mosquera, a 35-year-old Colombian national, for the brutal murders of Albert Alfonso, 62, and his civil partner Paul Longworth, 71. The couple, known to friends and neighbors as loving and engaged members of their West London community, were killed in their home on Scotts Road, Shepherd’s Bush, on 8 July 2024. Their dismembered remains were later discovered in suitcases, some left at the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, and others found in their own flat.

Mosquera, who worked in the adult film industry, first connected with Mr. Alfonso online. Over time, a friendship formed between the three men. The couple visited Mosquera in Colombia, and on several occasions, they invited him to stay with them in London. Friends reported that the trio often took day trips to local attractions, suggesting a bond of trust and camaraderie.

However, evidence presented at Woolwich Crown Court indicated that in the weeks leading up to the murders, Mosquera was planning his attacks. Prosecutors revealed that he searched online for a freezer and queries such as, "Where on the head is a knock fatal?" Additionally, a financial motive was suggested: Mosquera searched for the value of the couple’s London property and was found to have stolen money following the killings.

Court testimony and police reports detail a deeply disturbing sequence of events. On 8 July 2024, Mosquera killed Mr. Longworth with a hammer, then stabbed and decapitated Mr. Alfonso following a sexual encounter, which was recorded on video and presented as evidence. Prosecutors described how Mosquera dismembered the bodies, placing parts in suitcases. He then traveled to Bristol, where he disposed of the suitcases at the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Mosquera was arrested in Bristol in the early hours of 13 July 2024. He initially denied murder, admitting only to manslaughter by way of loss of self-control, and claimed Mr. Alfonso had killed his partner, Mr. Longworth. However, the jury found him guilty of both murders on 21 July 2025.

Detective Inspector Neil Meade of Avon and Somerset Police stated: "These crimes were truly horrific and our thoughts are with the families and friends of Albert and Paul. Yostin Mosquera's actions have had a significant impact on our communities in Avon and Somerset and I'm very grateful for the support we received at the time of the incident and have received since. It was an extremely fast-moving and complex investigation and their understanding, particularly in those early days, was hugely appreciated".

The murders of Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth have sent ripples of grief and fear through LGBTQ+ communities in the UK and globally. Advocates emphasize that, while the specific motives in this case are complex, LGBTQ+ people remain disproportionately vulnerable to violence, especially in contexts where trust and relationships are manipulated.

Organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights have called for renewed attention to the unique risks faced by older LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, who may be more susceptible to isolation and exploitation. The case also highlights the broader issue of violence within and against LGBTQ+ communities—a phenomenon that continues to require urgent, intersectional approaches to safety, support, and justice.

As sentencing looms in October, the community will be watching closely, advocating not only for justice for Albert and Paul but for systemic changes that might prevent such tragedies in the future.

Anyone affected by this case is encouraged to seek confidential support from LGBTQ+ organizations and helplines.