Police have issued a direct plea to a couple missing with their newborn baby after a new sighting in east London as a huge search entered its ninth day.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford urged Constance Marten, 35, and her partner Mark Gordon to give themselves up.
He said: “Please think of your baby’s health and wellbeing, and get in touch with us so we can ensure your child is medically well and has no underlying issues.
“Please do this for your child. You wouldn’t be able to forgive yourself if they became poorly. All we want to do is help you and your baby.”
Miss Marten is descended from wealthy landowners with close links to the Royal Family.
She is the granddaughter of Mary Anna Marten, whose godmother was the late Queen Mother. Relatives used to own the Crichel estate in Dorset.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police have taken over the investigation into the whereabouts of Miss Marten, Gordon and their recently-born child, and are making “urgent enquiries” to find them.
The couple were initially travelling in a vehicle that was found broken down near Junction 4 of the M61 – near Farnworth, Bolton – on January 5.
A missing persons investigation was launched by Greater Manchester Police after the vehicle was found but no occupants were present.
Please #SHARE | Appeal to find couple and newborn child who have been spotted in #Newham.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 13, 2023
☎️ the incident room with info - 0207 175 0785https://t.co/LX45eJVw38 pic.twitter.com/jCpJfRye99
The couple’s last known sighting was on January 7 at East Ham station in Newham between 11.45am and 12:30pm.
The Met said that detectives from Essex Police established the trio took a taxi from Harwich to East Ham station that day.
They are believed to have left their vehicle at Bolton, travelled to Liverpool and then to Harwich, and there were also confirmed sightings of them in Colchester.
Det Supt Basford also appealed to members of the public who might have seen the trio to contact them.
He said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and we have a number of officers from across the Met carrying out urgent enquiries to find Constance, Mark and their baby.
“The help from members of the public has been invaluable over the past week and I would appeal to anyone who believes they have seen Constance, Mark or their newborn baby – either in London or further afield – to contact us without delay. Together we can ensure they and their newborn baby are safe and well.”
Anyone with information can call 020 7175 0785 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
