Constance Marten and Mark Gordon: A timeline of events ahead of Friday court appearance

The couple were charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the remains of a baby were found by Sussex police early in March
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were reported missing in January
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Seren Morris29 March 2023

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon are to appear in court on Friday March 31, charged with gross negligence manslaughter, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.

The couple were reported missing in early January when their car was found abandoned on the motorway.

A manhunt ensued and they were eventually found and arrested in Brighton in late February.

Timeline of events in the Constance Marten and Mark Gordon case

January 5

The Greater Manchester Police launch an investigation after Marten and Gordon’s car is found abandoned and on fire on the motorway outside Bolton.

A CCTV image of Mark Gordon and Constance Marten on Whitechapel Road in London
Metropolitan Police/PA Media

January 19

Marten’s father, Napier Marten, appealed for her to turn herself in. He said: “I beseech you to find a way to turn yourself and your wee one in to the police as soon as possible so you and he or she can be protected.”

January 31

The Metropolitan Police offered a £10,000 reward for information that leads to the family being found.

An image of Constance Marten released by Greater Manchester Police
Greater Manchester Police/PA Media

February 7

Virginie de Selliers, Marten’s mother, published a letter telling her daughter she has her support and that she is not alone.

February 27

Marten and Gordon were arrested in Brighton on suspicion of child neglect without their baby.

February 28

Marten and Gordon were re-arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as police continued to search for the baby using sniffer dogs, drones and helicopters.

Police activity in woodland in East Sussex outside Brighton, near to where remains were found in the search for the two-month-old baby of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon
Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

March 1

Sussex police said they found body of their baby, a girl named Victoria, was found in a shed at an allotment.

March 2

The couple were charged with gross negligence manslaughter. They were also accused of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.

Missing baby remains found in Brighton
Court sketch from March 3 of Mark Gordon, with a grey jumper over his head, and Constance Marten at Crawley magistrates’ court in West Sussex
Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire

March 31

Marten and Gordon are due to appear at Crawley magistrates’ court in West Sussex on Friday, charged with gross negligence manslaughter, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.

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