Father of missing woman with newborn baby begs daughter to ‘find courage’ and call police

The father of a woman missing with her newborn child has spoken of the family’s pain as he urged her to contact police.

Napier Marten, reportedly a former page to the late Queen, said he and his family are “deeply concerned” for the welfare of Constance Marten and her baby.

Ms Marten, 35, has been missing with her partner Mark Gordon since their car broke down and caught fire near Bolton on 5 January.

The couple have since been spotted on CCTV on several occasions, and police say the couple have a substantial amount of cash, allowing them to live off-grid.

They are understood to have lived an isolated life since meeting in 2016, with then-drama student Ms Marten cutting ties with family and friends.

Gordon, 48, is a convicted sex offender who served 20 years in a US jail for rape and battery.

Upon release and deportation to the UK in 2010, he was listed on the sex offenders register.

In an appeal through The Independent, Mr Marten said while he remains estranged from his “darling daughter”, his family is willing to “do whatever is necessary for your safe return to us”.

He said the family has lived “in great concern”, knowing of Mr Gordon’s past, “for some time”.

Mr Marten said: “Darling Constance, even though we remain estranged at the moment, I stand by, as I have always done and as the family has always done, to do whatever is necessary for your safe return to us.

“I beseech you to find a way to turn yourself and your wee one in to the police as soon as possible so you and he or she can be protected.

“Only then can a process of healing and recovery begin, however long it may take, however difficult it may be.

“I would like you to understand that the family will do all that is needed for your wellbeing.

“And I also wish you to understand you are much, much loved, whatever the circumstances.

“We are deeply concerned for your and your baby’s welfare.

“The past eight years have been beyond painful for all the family as well as your friends, as they must have been for you, and to see you so vulnerable again is testing in the extreme.”

Read more:
Where have the couple been spotted?
Missing couple spotted on CCTV in London

Mr Marten thanked the police for “all their endeavours in bringing this tragic episode to a swift and safe conclusion” as he urged his daughter to “find the courage to present yourself to the police as soon as possible”.

Ms Marten grew up in Crichel House, a Dorset estate, as part of an affluent family with links to the royals.

Last September she and Gordon began moving around the country, renting Airbnbs for brief periods.

After their car broke down near Bolton, they took a taxi from Liverpool to Essex and were next seen around Colchester on Friday 6 January and Saturday 7 January.

They then took another taxi to East Ham Station in Newham, London, where they were last seen.

Police believe they could be anywhere in the UK and are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that may help find them – including hotels or hostels where the couple may have stayed.