53 Days on the Run: Desperate Search for a Newborn Ends in Tragedy
Constance Marten, born into British aristocracy, and her partner Mark Gordon were on the run in late 2022 to avoid losing custody of their newborn, Victoria, their fifth child. The couple had already had four children removed from their care due to violence and instability.
Determined to evade authorities, they led police on a 53-day manhunt across England, living off-grid, moving between hotels, taxis, and eventually camping in freezing conditions on the South Downs.
Victoria was born on Christmas Eve but lived for just a few weeks. Hidden inside her mother’s coat, she died in a tent on January 9. Her body was later found in a discarded shopping bag in a shed near Brighton.
Despite the freezing conditions, the couple refused to seek help, later admitting to attempting to cremate the baby’s body with petrol.
In 2024, Marten and Gordon were convicted of child cruelty, concealing a birth, and obstructing justice. In 2025, they were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. The court heard chilling details, baby clothes strewn near the roadside, the couple’s erratic and paranoid movements, and their refusal to reveal Victoria’s location even after arrest.
As prosecutor Tom Little KC said, “In her very short life, baby Victoria did not stand a chance.”
This tragic case underscores profound violations of the child’s rights. She was denied her right to life, survival, and development as she was exposed to lethal conditions without shelter, warmth, or medical care.
Her right to protection from neglect and harm was ignored. Without formal registration or access to services, she was also deprived of her right to an identity and healthcare. Most devastatingly, her best interests were never considered.
