Runaway Couple Charged After Baby's Tragic Death in Brighton
Baby’s Remains Found in Brighton
Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, have been charged with manslaughter following the heartbreaking discovery of their two-month-old baby’s remains in Hollingbury, Brighton. Search teams found the infant wrapped in plastic bags with a pile placed on top while combing a shed on an allotment near the couple’s arrest location.
Mysterious Disappearance and Discovery
- The couple went missing in January under suspicious circumstances.
- On 5 January, their car was found abandoned and set on fire in a lay-by on the M61 near Bolton. Inside were afterbirth and Marten’s passport.
- A forensic examination revealed Marten gave birth either in or near that vehicle a day or two before it was found.
- The pair later appeared on CCTV in Liverpool and Sussex before disappearing again.
- The last confirmed sighting was on 8 January at the Sussex port of Newhaven.
Courthouse Drama
On Thursday night, Marten and Gordon made their first appearance at Crawley Magistrates’ Court since being formally charged. Both wore grey tracksuits and spoke only to confirm their identities and confirm they have no fixed address.
They face serious charges:
- Manslaughter
- Concealing a child’s birth
- Attempting to pervert the course of justice
Next Steps in the Case
The magistrates have sent Marten and Gordon to the Central Criminal Court for a later hearing. The community remains shocked as police continue investigating the tragic case.
