Remains of baby found in wooded area where Constance and Mark were arrested

The remains of a baby have been discovered in a wooded area near where Constance Marten and Mark Gorden were arrested in Brighton, police said on Wednesday.

A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

A crime scene is currently in place at the location and is expected to continue for sometime.

The search for a missy baby was launched on 27 February 2023 after the couple was arrested in Stanmer Villas at around 21.30 after a member of the public saw them in a shop in Hillingbury Place.

Police helicopters, sniffer dogs, thermal imaging, cameras and drones were deployed to assist over 200 officers from multiple units in the Met and Sussex in search of the baby.

Police arrested the couple on suspicion of child neglect. The charges were later upgraded to gross negligence manslaughter as officers expressed worry for the missing baby.

Constance and Mark remain in custody at a police station in Sussex.

In an update on Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said, "This is an outcome that myself and the many officers who have been part of the search had hoped would not happen.

"I recognise the impact this news will have on the many people who have been following this story closely, and I can assure them that we will do everything we possibly can to establish what has happened.

"Constance Martin and Mark Gordon remain in custody after an application for the extension of their detention for a further 36 hours was sought from Brighton Magistrates' Court.

"It is imperative now that media and members of the public refrain from speculation and comments online that could be prejudicial to potential court proceedings.

"No further information about the discovery will be shared at this time."

Anyone who has information that could support the investigation should call the incident room on 0208 345 3854. We thank the media, the public and our policing colleagues in Sussex for their continued support.

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