Authorities have published CCTV footage of the final sighting of a missing aristocrat, who fled with her rapist partner and their infant child more than six weeks ago.
After their vehicle was discovered burning on the M61 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5, Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, have been touring the United Kingdom by taxi.
At 5.18 a.m. on January 8, the pair was captured on camera walking outside a gas station on Avis Road, Sussex, before being observed heading down Cantercrow Hill, Sussex, at 6.25 a.m. on the same day.
It occurred as the Metropolitan Police issued a second appeal for information and asked the public to keep an eye out for the couple and their infant.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford stated, “They might be anywhere in the United Kingdom, therefore we must all stay watchful.”
“At the time of their last sighting on January 8, they were in possession of a blue two-person tent, so please keep your eyes out, particularly when you are out and about in waste ground or scenic areas, or when you are walking your dog.
Please be aware that they may not always be together when they are out and about.
‘It’s possible that you’ll only see Constance or Mark out alone getting supplies, while the other is at their residence with the infant.
“I would like to emphasize that we are not doing this and expending so many money and attempts to locate the family in order to be awkward or intrusive.
It is our responsibility to guarantee the health and safety of the baby, Constance, and Mark, as well as our sincere concern for their well-being.
He said, “Information from the public has been crucial to our inquiry, and we have had over 350 calls to our incident room – thank you to everyone who has contacted us thus far, we are so thankful.”
While these calls have not yet resulted in the couple and their infant being located, it may just take one call with the correct information at the right moment to assist us locate the family and ensure their safety.
Authorities have already combed over 630 hours of CCTV footage and reminded the public that a reward of up to £10,000 is available for any information leading to the family’s recovery.
Officials believe the pair has been living in a blue tent and are concerned for the safety of the infant, who has not received medical care since early January.
Officers are attempting to locate the family because it is uncertain if the infant was born prematurely or has any health difficulties.
Shereen Nimmo, director of midwifery at Barts Health NHS Trust, stated, “Constance, my name is Shereen, and I’m here as a midwife and a mother. I’m not here to judge you, but to assist you and your child.
“I know that you love your child very much, and I also know what an exciting and anxious time it can be to be a mother. And I want to ensure that you and your child receive the necessary care.
After giving birth, midwives are there to ensure you are physically and emotionally recuperating and adjusting to caring for your newborn.
“We verify that your infant is feeding properly and gaining weight, and they undergo screening exams to ensure that their heart, hearing, hips, and eyesight are healthy.”
Additionally, we screen for rare illnesses and implement care plans to support them if necessary.
Yet, it is not too late to have these tests and ensure that your kid is healthy.
It is imperative that you see a midwife, doctor, or other healthcare expert as soon as possible, because you are putting your child at risk by not receiving medical attention.
“Babies require a secure, warm environment, and all new mothers receive instruction about safe sleeping for their infants to prevent SIDS.”
“We are aware that the safest place for your infant to sleep is in a crib in the same room as you.” They are at risk if you sleep in an unhealthy environment with your infant.
We are concerned that without access to midwifery and medical care, your child may not have the best possible start in life, which we know you desire.
Please do the right thing for your child and go to the nearest healthcare institution so my compassionate coworkers can care for you and your child. We only wish to assist you.
The missing couple has evaded capture by the authorities thus far by moving frequently and concealing their faces on CCTV footage.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford stated that over fifty police are working on the case at any given time and that over 630 hours of CCTV footage had been viewed.
Following prior appeals, he stated that more than 350 contacts to police with information were received.
I would say that all calls have contributed to the investigation, he stated.
Mr. Basford stated that the risk “increases day by day” when there are no confirmed sightings, and he urged the couple to consider the baby.
A reward of £10,000 is offered for information leading to their safe recovery.
In the months preceding their disappearance, they accumulated a substantial amount of cash and used it to pay for lodging and transportation across the country, according to investigators.
Mr. Basford stated that authorities believe the couple’s cash would have lasted far into February.
‘But, we also know that at some point, in order to stay warm, under a roof, and keep the baby safe, they had to reach out or seek some form of lodgings other than the tent they were observed using on August 8 when they were travelling into the fields in Newhaven,’ he said.
The investigator expressed fear that the couple’s funds will run out, and he urged the couple to “do the right thing” and come forward to seek the necessary medical care.
He does not believe that anyone is currently assisting the pair.
The couple traveled from Bolton to Liverpool, then to Harwich, Essex, then to east London, and finally to Newhaven, Sussex, where they were spotted on January 8 at the ferry terminal.
The Metropolitan Police stated in an update earlier this month that they suspect the family may be camping in Sussex.
It is now believed that, although there is no evidence that they have left the country, they could be anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Mr Basford said, ‘We know from their movements from the 5th to the 8th of January that they were across the United Kingdom, and I think now, six weeks later, my plea to members of the public is that they could be anywhere in the United Kingdom, in any town or city, so really it’s for everyone watching this, the appeal, to just have a look, think, be visual, and any information or intelligence you may have to come forward and contact the police wherever you may be.
In 2016, Miss Marten, a theatre student from a wealthy aristocratic family, met Mr. Gordon for the first time.
Since then, the couple has led a secluded existence, and in September, when Miss Marten was well along in her pregnancy, they began relocating between rented apartments.
Gordon served 20 years in jail in the United States for a 14-year-old rape and violence.
Anybody with information on the whereabouts of the family can contact the incident room at 020 7175 0785.
Alternately, information can be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. They never request personal information and do not track your device.
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