Essex police confirm sightings of couple who went missing with newborn baby
The family disappeared after breaking down in Greater Manchester on Thursday
Last updated 9th Jan 2023
Police investigating the disappearance of two parents and their newborn baby say there have been a number of reported sightings of the family in north Essex.
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon disappeared with their child after their vehicle broke down near junction four (Farnworth, Bolton) of the M61 in Greater Manchester on Thursday.
Essex Police have taken the lead on the investigation, after confirmed sightings were made in Harwich and Colchester on Saturday morning.
Police say they believe Constance had very recently given birth and neither she nor the baby have been assessed by medical professionals.
It is thought they initially travelled to Liverpool before Mark, Constance and a child were seen by a member of the public in Harwich at about 9am on Saturday morning.
There was also a confirmed sighting in Colchester about an hour later.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston said:
“Clearly, the overriding concern that we share with our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police is for Mark and Constance’s new-born child.
“We do not wish to interrupt their family life; this search is primarily to ensure the welfare of the couple’s child.
“We are carrying out a number of enquires in and around Colchester in order to locate them. We’re also liaising with colleagues at British Transport Police around potential onward travel from Colchester.
“I would ask the people of Colchester, and indeed wider north Essex, to please familiarise yourself with Mark and Constance’s faces and report any sightings to us immediately.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the couple and their child is asked to call police on 101 immediately.