Police now have reason to believe that Constance Marten’s baby may have been dead for at least two weeks after being spotted as far back as February 11.
According to a local businessman, the couple was seen buying fish and chips at the beginning of last month.
The couple was taken into custody on Monday, February 27 in Brighton after absconding from police for more than seven weeks - but the child was not with them.
READ MORE: Baby's body found in massive search for missing child of Constance Marten
When asked, they refused to tell police where the baby was, which sparked a massive hunt across a wide area of the Sussex countryside.
On Wednesday night, Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford from the Metropolitan Police, who is leading the investigation, told reporters that the remains of a baby had been found.
It is understood the body was located in a wooded area near where Marten and Gordon were arrested.
After reviewing CCTV from earlier in February, it has become clear that the couple did not have their baby with them during their time in Brighton.
A source told The Sun that Marten and Gordon visited J & E Fish Bar at night in the weeks before being arrested - but were never seen on CCTV with the baby.
The source claimed: "They've been picked up on CCTV in the area as far back as February 11. They've been seen going into the chippy and into the Mulberrys, and would only go out at night.
"Gordon has a leg injury and was using the tree branch as a walking stick.
"They were never seen with the baby, or pushing a pram or anything like that."
More than 200 officers, along with specialist search teams, scoured the area around Stanmer Villas in Brighton, where the couple were finally caught after a tip-off from a member of the public.
They were arrested on suspicion of child neglect, and later on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The couple remains in custody after police were granted a 36-hour custody extension by Brighton magistrates.
Speaking to reporters at Sussex Police headquarters on Wednesday evening, Mr. Basford said: "It is my very sad duty to update this afternoon, police officers searching a wooded area close to where Constance and Mark Gordon were arrested discovered the remains of a baby.
"A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.
"A crime scene is in place and work at the location is expected to continue for some time.
"This is an outcome that myself and that many officers who have been part of this search had hoped would not happen.
"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."
Marten, 35, who comes from an aristocratic family with royal connections, first went missing with boyfriend Gordon, 48, when their car was found abandoned and on fire at the edge of the M61 on January 5.
From there they travelled around the country by taxi, avoiding police by paying for everything in cash, covering their faces while on CCTV, and moving locations frequently, often after dark.
They were finally arrested in Brighton on Monday, minutes after a member of the public tipped off the police, but their baby was not with them.
The Sun reported that they used a Brighton food bank last Wednesday, but did not ask for baby supplies - which were available - and did not have the infant with them.
They also did not buy any baby supplies from a convenience store shortly before they were arrested.
READ NEXT:
Serious alert issued for Amazon Fire TV Stick users streaming illegal content
Ireland 'Beast from the East' latest as Met Eireann reveals EXACT dates of 'impactful' cold snap
Pat Kenny celebrates daughter's milestone 30th birthday at Dublin celebrity hotspot restaurant
Well-known Irish presenter marked as favourite to replace Ryan Tubridy on RTE Late Late Show
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
