Members of the public have been left «traumatised» after mistakenly offering to help drive a double murderer over a bridge where he planned to dump the victims’ bodies, police have revealed.
Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of murders.
Yostin Andres Mosquera was convicted on Monday of the murders of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso, who were killed in west London on 8 July 2024.
After decapitating their bodies, the heads were stored in a freezer, while the other remains were put in suitcases.
(L-R) Yostin Andres Mosquera murdered Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth
On 10 July, Mosquera hired a van with a driver to transport him and the bags to Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Detective Chief Inspector Ollie Stride, from the Metropolitan Police, said people who had been watching a football match in a nearby pub, came outside and tried to help Mosquera, by offering to drive him over the bridge as they saw he was struggling with the heavy suitcases.
«He told them he wanted to go to the other side of the bridge, which was only 150 yards from where he stood, but he couldn’t see it,» Detective Inspector Neil Meade, from Avon and Somerset Police, said.
«They tried loading the suitcases into the back of their car and one of them commented: ‘God, these are heavy, is there a body in there?'»
DCI Stride said they «simply couldn’t lift them into the cars so… they helped him order the taxi, that took him over using Google Translate because they couldn’t communicate with him, [as] he spoke in Spanish».
He added: «They’ve been really traumatised by the whole thing, obviously now understanding what had happened afterwards.»
The prosecution argued Mosquera went to Bristol with the intention of throwing the bags off the bridge.
But Mosquera caught the attention of passers-by, telling them the cases contained car parts.
However, people noticed liquid leaking from the bags – which was blood.
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Suitcase murders: DCI describes ‘shocking’ evidence
A cyclist challenged Mosquera about the suitcases and chased after the double killer as he fled down a hill – filming him on his phone.
Det Insp Meade praised the cyclist and said the image he took of Mosquera was «critical» for the investigation.
«It gave us a lead to start with,» he said.
«It was an unbelievable piece of work by that member of the public.
Members of the public have been left «traumatised» after mistakenly offering to help drive a double murderer over a bridge where he planned to dump the victims’ bodies, police have revealed.
Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of murders.
Yostin Andres Mosquera was convicted on Monday of the murders of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso, who were killed in west London on 8 July 2024.
After decapitating their bodies, the heads were stored in a freezer, while the other remains were put in suitcases.
Clifton Suspension Bridge. File pic: PA
(L-R) Yostin Andres Mosquera murdered Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth
On 10 July, Mosquera hired a van with a driver to transport him and the bags to Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Detective Chief Inspector Ollie Stride, from the Metropolitan Police, said people who had been watching a football match in a nearby pub, came outside and tried to help Mosquera, by offering to drive him over the bridge as they saw he was struggling with the heavy suitcases.
«He told them he wanted to go to the other side of the bridge, which was only 150 yards from where he stood, but he couldn’t see it,» Detective Inspector Neil Meade, from Avon and Somerset Police, said.
«They tried loading the suitcases into the back of their car and one of them commented: ‘God, these are heavy, is there a body in there?'»
DCI Stride said they «simply couldn’t lift them into the cars so…
It was incredibly brave for the cyclist to intervene and have the presence of mind to get that footage on his phone.»
Police officers then attended the bridge and had to open the suitcases, which contained the torsos and limbs of Mr Alfonso and Mr Longworth.
Det Insp Meade said: «When you sign up to join the police, you expect to see stuff that people in general society wouldn’t see.
«But nobody can prepare anybody, cop or not a cop, to see what those officers saw that night.
«I’ve been doing this job for 29 years and I’ve never had to open a suitcase, not knowing what’s in it, and there being a body in there.»
Mosquera had already run off and was later arrested at Bristol Temple Meads station on 13 July 2024 and charged with both murders.
Members of the public were left traumatized after inadvertently helping a double murderer transport victims’ bodies over a bridge, as revealed by the police. Yostin Andres Mosquera was found guilty of murdering Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso on July 8, 2024, in west London. Following the decapitation of the victims, their heads were stored in a freezer while the rest of their remains were placed in suitcases.
The individuals who assisted Mosquera in ordering a taxi to transport him over the bridge were unable to communicate with him as he spoke Spanish. They resorted to using Google Translate to facilitate the process. This act left them deeply affected by the realization of what had transpired.
The prosecution asserted that Mosquera had gone to Bristol with the intention of discarding the bags containing the victims’ remains off the bridge. Despite Mosquera’s claims that the cases held car parts, passers-by noticed liquid seeping from the bags, later identified as blood.
A cyclist confronted Mosquera about the suitcases and pursued him as he attempted to flee down a hill. The cyclist filmed Mosquera on his phone, providing crucial evidence for the investigation. Detective Inspector Meade commended the cyclist for his bravery and quick thinking in capturing the footage.
Police officers arrived at the bridge and had to open the suitcases, revealing the torsos and limbs of Mr. Alfonso and Mr. Longworth. The discovery was described as deeply disturbing by Detective Inspector Meade, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the situation.
Mosquera managed to escape but was apprehended at Bristol Temple Meads station on July 13, 2024, and charged with both murders. Detective Inspector Meade emphasized the shocking and traumatic nature of the events that unfolded that night, underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement in such harrowing circumstances.
The ordeal left members of the public and law enforcement profoundly affected by the gruesome discovery and subsequent investigation. The courage and quick action of individuals like the cyclist were instrumental in bringing Mosquera to justice and shedding light on the heinous crimes he committed.
The investigation into the murders of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso was a testament to the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement in seeking justice for the victims and their families. The events that transpired serve as a reminder of the darkness that exists in society and the importance of vigilance and cooperation in combating such atrocities. File image: Yostin Andres Mosquera with Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth.
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