Where Are They? Mystery Deepens as Family Vanishes After Car Blaze
It’s been a whole month since Constance Marten and Mark Gordon’s car was found ablaze on the M61 hard shoulder—and the young family remains missing.
Police Plead for Leads with £10,000 Reward
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford from the Met’s East Area Command said, “Previous appeals brought in around 300 public calls, but the couple and their baby are still missing.”
He’s urging anyone who’s seen the family since January 8 to come forward. A whopping £10,000 reward is on offer for info that leads to finding them.
“We particularly want anyone who’s been near the Newhaven countryside or elsewhere in Sussex to search their memory,” Basford added. “They could have moved far by now.”
Cold, Hungry and Hidden: A Baby’s First Month Away from Help
Basford made a direct plea to the couple: “Your baby has spent its first month outside, not safe, not warm, and not seen by doctors. You must be out of money by now. Please call us—at least to say you are safe. We’ll come to you and get you medical help.”
Last Known Movements: Taxi Trails and Tented Camps
- Family dropped off by taxi at Newhaven port entrance just before 5am on January 8
- Seen sheltering from rain under a nearby overpass at 6am
- Spotted walking into fields carrying bags and a blue tent—police believe they’ve been camping locally, but could have moved far since
- Abandoned a pushchair the night before in London’s Flower and Dean Walk area
Detectives believe the family has been on the move for weeks—facing freezing temperatures without medical care. “Our priority is finding the baby alive,” said Basford.
He urged those who might have helped the family—whether by giving directions, offering lifts, or selling food or nappies—to share any details, however small.
“If you received payment from them, you’re not in trouble. We just want to keep this vulnerable family safe.”
How to Help
If you have any information, call the incident room on 020 7175 0785. Or report anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. They won’t ask for your name or track your device.
The Timeline So Far
- Jan 5: Car found on fire on M61 near Farnworth, Bolton. No occupants present.
- Jan 6-7: Sightings in Harwich and Colchester.
- Jan 7: Last confirmed sighting near East Ham Station, London. Bought camping gear from Argos Whitechapel.
- Late Jan 7: Abandoned pushchair near Brick Lane; travelled by taxi to Haringey.
- Early Jan 8: Taxi to Newhaven, then spotted walking into fields carrying a tent.
The mystery of Constance, Mark, and their baby continues. But police say every minute counts for this fragile family’s safety.
