Detectives hunting a missing baby for nearly eight weeks have been left “devastated” after infant remains were discovered in Brighton yesterday.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, leading the investigation, said: “My team has worked tirelessly over the past eight weeks, travelling across the country searching for this baby. We are all truly devastated by the outcome and know this pain is shared in Brighton and nationwide today.”
He added: “There are still many unanswered questions. We must give the investigation team the time they need to establish the circumstances of this tragic death. We have yet to confirm the baby’s gender, and a post-mortem has not taken place.”
Police believe the infant had been dead for several weeks before the discovery, but it is too early to specify an exact date. Due to the nature of the case, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as per standard procedure.
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were arrested on Monday, 27 February, at Stanmer Villas, Brighton, after being spotted in a local shop. Initially held on suspicion of child neglect, they were later arrested for gross negligence manslaughter. Both remain in custody in Sussex police stations. Their detention has been extended until Thursday evening, 2 March.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police will stay in the Brighton area in the coming days. Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 0208 345 3854.
The timeline of events is as follows:
5 January: Police respond to a car fire on the M61 near Bolton. The occupants had fled, and most belongings were destroyed. Constance and Mark were in the car. Constance had recently given birth, but had no medical check-up.
6-7 January: The family were seen in Harwich and Colchester. The investigation passed from Greater Manchester Police to Essex Police.
7 January: CCTV places the couple near East Ham and Whitechapel, London. They carried an orange carrier bag and a pram, with Mark wearing plastic bags over his shoes. Mark purchased camping gear from Argos – tent, sleeping bags, and pillows. They discarded items including a pushchair near Brick Lane, then travelled by taxi to Haringey.
8 January early hours: They were dropped near the Newhaven port, seen sheltering under an overpass from rain, and walked into nearby fields carrying bags and the tent.
27 February: Spotted in Brighton by a member of the public and quickly arrested.
1 March: Police find baby’s remains near where the couple were arrested. Post-mortem pending.
The heartbreaking case remains under intense investigation as police piece together the final days of the missing infant. The public is urged to come forward with any information to aid justice.
Originally published by UKNIP.
