The disturbing case of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon has taken a darker turn as details of their alleged links to a secretive cult come to light. The couple, currently on trial for the manslaughter of their newborn baby, lived a nomadic existence, evading authorities for weeks before their eventual arrest.
A Life on the Run
Marten, 36, and Gordon, 49, spent months travelling across England, sleeping in tents and abandoned buildings while allegedly concealing their pregnancy from medical professionals. Their baby daughter, Victoria, died shortly after birth in January 2023, with prosecutors claiming the parents' reckless actions directly contributed to the tragedy.
Cult Connections Emerge
Court documents reveal Marten's previous involvement with a controversial spiritual community described as "cult-like" by former members. Sources suggest this group may have influenced the couple's decision to shun modern medicine and live off-grid.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who led the investigation, stated: "This was an utterly tragic case where a newborn's life was cut short due to what we allege was criminal negligence."
The Fateful Journey
The couple's movements included:
- Purchasing camping equipment in December 2022
- Staying in short-term rentals under false names
- Traveling from the North West to the South Coast
- Finally being apprehended in Brighton after a nationwide manhunt
Forensic experts testified that the baby's body was found in a disused shed, wrapped in plastic bags and hidden inside a Lidl carrier bag.
Ongoing Trial
As the trial at the Old Bailey continues, prosecutors are presenting evidence suggesting the couple:
- Failed to seek medical care during pregnancy or after birth
- Did not register the baby's birth
- Made no attempt to preserve the child's body properly
The defence maintains the death was accidental and that the parents were acting out of misguided beliefs rather than malice.
