Following the discovery of two men’s bodies—one of whom was French—dumped in bags on a well-known bridge in the United Kingdom, authorities on Monday charged Yostin Mosquera, 34, with murder.
Authorities stated that the suspect had been living with the victims, who had once been in a relationship and continued to live together in west London.
Despite not supporting a homophobic motive, the investigation’s evidence has led to the classification of the crime as hate speech.
The police identified the fatalities as Paul Longworth, 71, and Albert Alfonso, 62, both of whom were French citizens by birth.
Authorities launched a manhunt after discovering the luggage on southwest England’s Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol last week.
Mosquera is scheduled to appear before magistrates in the city later on Monday. Later, more human remains were discovered at a London apartment.
“I know that this awful incident will cause concern not just among residents… but in the wider LGBTQ+ community across London,” said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, adding that officers were not looking for anyone else over the killings.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with Albert and Paul’s loved ones who are coming to terms with this terrible news,” he said.
One of the oldest suspension bridges still standing in the world is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which was created by the innovative engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
The Avon Gorge bridge, which opened in 1864, is a prominent tourist destination and a representation of Bristol.
