Constance Marten arrest: A baby’s remains found in woods
Police searching for the missing child of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon have found the remains of a baby in an area of woodland near Brighton.
The couple had disappeared, along with their baby, in early January and were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The discovery came as hundreds of officers and volunteers were scouring a 90-square-mile area. The search involved sniffer dogs, helicopters, drones and thermal cameras and continued for 55 days before ending in tragedy.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford from the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a post-mortem examination will be held to help establish what happened.
The couple were initially arrested on suspicion of child neglect before being further arrested for gross negligence manslaughter. The police are urging the public not to speculate about the case.
Det Supt Lewis Basford from the Metropolitan Police, the force which is leading the investigation, said a baby’s body had been discovered close to where the couple were arrested on Monday.
“This is an outcome that myself and that many officers who have been part of this search had hoped would not happen,” he said.
“I recognise the impact this news will have on many people who have been following this story closely and can assure them that we will do everything we possibly can to establish what has happened.”
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon
The couple triggered a missing people investigation when their car was found alight near Bolton on 5 January.
They were believed to be sleeping in a tent and living off-grid, prompting fears for the baby in the freezing winter temperatures.
Mr Gordon is a convicted rapist and registered sex offender.
The last confirmed sighting of the couple before their arrest was in Newhaven on 8 January, and the baby was with them and alive at the time, according to cops.
The couple were detained at a convenience store on Monday night after a member of the public recognised them from media appeals and called the police.