Constance Marten latest news: Missing aristocrat’s father tells police to investigate cult
Constance Martens: Father of runaway nobleman makes emotional pleas for missing daughter
An aristocrat whose estranged daughter is missing along with her abusive partner and their newborn baby has called on police to investigate her ties to a Nigerian church that claims she has been “brainwashed”.
Police have been searching for Mark Gordon, Constance Marten and their child after they abandoned their car on the M61 in Bolton, Greater Manchester on January 5.
Napier Marten said he had had “long-standing suspicions” since Ms Marten returned from Lagos, where she had spent several months in the Church of All Nations synagogue.
Mr Marten, a film and music producer who was a page to the late Queen, said the experiences appear to have been a “trigger” for so much that hurt Constance,” saying it uncovered a pattern of behavior she did too easy manipulation.
The distraught dad made an emotional appeal last month for his daughter to turn herself in to the police so she and her baby can be “protected”.
How you can help if you have information about Marten’s disappearance
Anyone with information on the family’s whereabouts should call the emergency responder on 020 7175 0785.
Alternatively, information can be reported 100 percent anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask for personal information and do not track your device.
Kate PlummerFebruary 13, 2023 6:00 p.m
ICYMI: Marten’s mother’s emotional request
In February, Marten’s mother released an open letter calling for her daughter’s safe return and saying she wanted to “help” her.
“I want to help you and my grandchild,” she wrote. “You deserve the opportunity to start a new life, have a stable family, and enjoy the same freedoms that most of us have.
“Constance, I will do what I can to help you and my grandchild. You are not alone in this situation. We will support you wherever we can.
“I am willing to do anything to help you recover from this horrible experience, so you can thrive and enjoy motherhood.
“I love you and miss you mom xx.”
Kate PlummerFebruary 13, 2023 5:30 p.m
Marten was brainwashed by the televangelist
A friend of Marten’s said she was “brainwashed” by TB Joshua, the leader of a Nigerian megachurch her father had called for an investigation.
“In the end she became one of his students in Nigeria. I think she was brainwashed while she was over there. She was traumatized by the experience,” the unnamed friend claimed.
“She wasn’t the same person when she came back. She used to be wild, but also cheerful, friendly and fun-loving. She was darker when she came back and she found things harder.
“She never told us what really happened. TB Joshua was a godlike figure. It was scary and I think it changed her. It was a big part of her life.”
Kate PlummerFebruary 13, 2023 5:00 p.m
Where was Constance Marten last seen?
Marten and Gordon left their car in Bolton on January 5th and hailed a taxi to Liverpool where they caught another taxi to Harwich in Essex, arriving just after midnight on Friday January 6th.
Police said they were also sighted in Harwich before traveling to Colchester and then taking a taxi to East Ham station.
Detectives have since determined the couple took a taxi from East Ham and were dropped off at 18:14 on 12 January in Whitechapel Road, where Gordon was seen exiting an Argos after buying a tent.
At 11.46pm they took a taxi to Haringey and then another to Newhaven, East Sussex, where they were last seen on January 12 walking down Cantercrow Hill into the fields beyond.
Kate PlummerFebruary 13, 2023 4:30 p.m
“The abuse stories are shocking and heartbreaking”: Constance Marten’s father’s full statement
Napier Marten, the father of runaway aristocrat Constance Marten, has urged police to investigate time his daughter spent in a church cult in Nigeria.
Ms Marten has been missing since January 5 with her partner rapist Mark Gordon and their newborn child.
Here is his statement in full:
Matt MathersFebruary 13, 2023 3:00 p.m
11 key facts about the disappearance of runaway aristocrat Constance Marten
On January 5, aristocrat Constance Marten, her sex offender Mark Gordon and their newborn baby disappeared on the M61 near Bolton after leaving a broken down car which was later found ablaze.
The trio have since been traced back to Sussex, where they were last sighted on January 12, but have since evaded detection.
The Metropolitan Police are offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to them being found safe.
Here are 11 facts about the case. Kate Plummer Reports:
Matt MathersFebruary 13, 2023 2:45 p.m
The TV preacher who claimed to cure AIDS and counted Premier League stars among his followers
TB Joshua – whose church has been linked to missing aristocrat Constance Marten – claimed to have healed thousands, including former Arsenal and Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu, writes Thomas Kingsley.
Read the full report here:
Matt MathersFebruary 13, 2023 2:30 p.m
False Prophet Abuse: Insider Cult Linked to Constance Marten
A missing aristocrat on the run with her abusive partner and newborn baby may have been brainwashed at a Nigerian church where “disciples” were allegedly being abused by the group’s self-proclaimed prophet.
Matt MathersFebruary 13, 2023 2:12 p.m
ICYMI: New sighting of escaped aristocrat missing with rapist partner and newborn baby
Last month, the Metropolitan Police released CCTV images of the couple, who were seen buying a tent at Argos in Whitechapel, east London, on January 7, just two days after they went missing near Bolton.
It was said to be the last time the couple was seen in public. Police believe they may have slept poorly in the tent during the recent cold weather.
Thomas Kinglsey has more:
Matt MathersFebruary 13, 2023 1:58 p.m
Flashback: A timeline of the disappearance of the missing aristocrat with the rapist’s partner and newborn baby
Just after 6.30pm on Thursday 5 January officers from Greater Manchester Police were called to a burning car on the hard shoulder of the M61 near junction 4 in Farnworth, Bolton.
Ms Marten and Gordon were not at the scene and officers believed they fled on foot. However, most of their belongings were destroyed by the fire.
After the identities of the car owners were established, Greater Manchester Police launched an inquiry into the missing persons.
Below is a timeline of all the couple’s known movements since their disappearance:
Matt MathersFebruary 13, 2023 1:54 p.m