A high-profile court case has revealed a shocking narrative around Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, whose parenting capabilities were called into question after their newborn daughter, Victoria, was found dead in a grocery bag in March 2023. While court interactions indicated the couple could be warm and caring, the reality painted was starkly different. Their obsession with each other and distrust of authority led them to neglect their child’s basic needs.
Despite having prior children taken into foster care, Marten and Gordon attempted to evade authorities while travelling across the UK, living in a tent during cold winter months. The couple believed that Victoria would also be taken away from them, prompting a nationwide search after they vanished following the discovery of a placenta in their burned-out car. Their evasion tactics included discarding their mobile phones and paying cash to avoid detection.
Marten, 38, from an aristocratic family, had a background as a journalist, while Gordon, 51, has a history of serious criminal offences. Court documents indicated their relationship was marked by domestic violence, raising serious concerns about their ability to care for their children. In January 2022, a judge had already ordered that their previous four children be placed in the care of authorities due to the couple prioritising their relationship over their children’s wellbeing.
The grim findings around Victoria’s fate came after a 53-day search, during which the couple lived off-grid, suffering severe cold conditions. Following their arrest in late February 2023, it was two days later that Victoria’s body was discovered. It was widely reported that she had died weeks earlier, with claims that her conditions had been dire while living outdoors. There were accounts of sightings of the couple and Victoria in various public places, hinting at their state of neglect.
The trial was tumultuous, with both Marten and Gordon disrupting proceedings and displaying little remorse for their actions. They were ultimately convicted of gross negligence manslaughter, although their antics caused significant delays and chaos in court—including revelations about Gordon’s previous convictions.
The Chief Crown Prosecutor deemed the trials exceptionally difficult due to the couple’s behaviour, which included frustration tactics to avoid facing their actions. The tragic outcome of Victoria’s life has led law enforcement officials to express deep sadness, citing that opportunities for help were consistently ignored, ultimately leading to a preventable death. Their sentencing is yet to occur, but the case has stirred significant public interest and concern regarding parental responsibility and the welfare of children in precarious situations.