British Heiress and Convicted Rapist: The Grotesque Tale of Escape, Death, and Madness
Imagine a life of luxury, with grandmothers who were godmothers to the Queen, and then—BAM!—everything collapses into chaos, escape, and the death of a child. This is the story of Constance Marten, heiress to a multi-million fortune, and her partner Mark Gordon, a convicted rapist, who together hid their newborn baby in a tent in the freezing winter.
Constance was born into an aristocratic family, spending her childhood in the lavish Crichel House estate in Dorset. Her grandmother was the godmother to Queen Elizabeth II’s mother. But her life took a dark turn when her father mysteriously left the family and flew to Australia seeking spiritual peace, leaving behind wealth and responsibility.
Constance inherited the family pattern of fleeing reality and authority. When she met Mark Gordon, a former prisoner who spent 22 years behind bars for rape and attempted murder, she cut all ties with her family and began a nomadic life. She believed Gordon was her soulmate, and the world was the enemy.
Only after marrying in Peru and having their first child did Constance discover the truth about Gordon—he attacked two police officers in the hospital after Constance gave birth under a false name. His horrific past had been hidden from her.
The family court ruled that their four older children should be protected due to violence and neglect, and Constance decided to hide their last baby, Victoria. The baby was born on December 26 in a rented house under a false name. The couple went on the run, convinced they were being followed by social services and private detectives.
In the chaos of packing, the baby was moved from car to tent, with no heating and freezing nights. The horrific truth was revealed when the baby’s body was found wrapped in a Lidl bag, buried in a shed. The couple believed they were victims of the system, and Constance even likened herself to the Virgin Mary in court, saying she would do anything for her child.
They left 34 burner phones by the roadside—a sign of their paranoia. They believed their car was sabotaged and that Victoria would be taken immediately if they reported to authorities. They chose freezing in a tent over warm accommodation.
When the search began, the whole world watched. Police pleaded with Constance to come forward. Surveillance footage showed the couple trying to blend into London’s crowds, their faces plastered all over the news. They spent £50 from a trust fund, not on the child’s safety, but on their own freedom.
The trial at Old Bailey turned into a spectacle. Constance complained about inhumane prison conditions, microwaved meals, and claimed she slept only 17-19 hours a day. They frequently left the courtroom, changed lawyers like gloves, and made up excuses to delay proceedings. Gordon asked for help shaving, while Constance threatened to demand a public inquiry after another inmate called her a baby killer.
Despite attempts to portray themselves as victims, their behavior was arrogant, dismissive, and hysterical. Even court staff openly felt relief when the couple stopped joking, even briefly.
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon are now convicted of gross negligence manslaughter, cruelty to a child, and obstruction of justice. This story shocks, enrages, and makes you think about the system, family, and madness that can arise when wealth and violence collide.
If this sounds like a movie script, you’re not far off. Except this is a real tragedy. So, what do you think about such fates? Did the system fail, or are they to blame? Drop a comment—let’s see who’s really lost their mind here!
