13 February 2023 , 17:51
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The father of an aristocrat that's missing with her partner and newborn baby is calling for an inquiry after claims she was "brainwashed" by a cult.
Constance Marten, 35, is missing along with her sex offender partner Mark Gordon and her newborn baby.
They disappeared shortly afterMs Marten gave birth, and it's understood neither the mum nor the child have been seen by medical professionals.
Gordon was jailed for 20 years in Florida, USA in 1990, before later being deported back to the UK in 2010.
Before vanishing in January, Constance reportedly spent six months at a Nigerian church, where its followers were treated as "disciples" of the church leader.
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Gordon was jailed for 20 years in Florida, USA in 1990, before later being deported back to the UK in 2010 (Greater Manchester Police / SWNS)
Constance Marten, 35, is missing along with her sex offender partner Mark Gordon and her newborn baby (PA)She was said to be left confused and traumatised following the experience at the synagogue in Lagos where she was forced into intense work running the church while living alongside up to 100 followers in dorm rooms.
On one occasion, she was reportedly made to eat leftovers of the church’s “prophet” and leader, while also once being placed in social exile as punishment for not being “focused enough” on the church leader.
Ms Marten also reportedly experienced paranormal activity and psychosis after returning home, and once is said to have collapsed on the floor laughing while queueing in Starbucks.
Ms Marten and partner Mark Gordon are seen covering their faces on CCTV (Met Police)Her father, who was a page to the Queen, is calling for an inquiry into his missing daughter and links to the church, reports The Independent.
A former disciple, Joe Hurst, said Ms Marten had reached out to him as part of a documentary she was making on the church and its followers for Al Jazeera.
Mr Hurst, who left in 2006, described how Ms. Marten also shared her experienced with him - saying she felt white church members were targeted and humiliated by TB Joshua.
He also described how Ms Marten appeared to be having doubts about the Christian faith in light of her time spent in Lagos and how he persuaded her not to run the documentary.
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon on Flower and Dean Walk after dumping the pram (Metropolitan Police / SWNS.COM)After she agreed to not publish her findings, she spoke freely about her time there and how it affected her afterward - with Mr Hurst recalling how she told him about falling to the ground in a coffee shop in fits of laughter.
She also reportedly told him she would experience paranormal activity.
Matthew McNaught, the author of the book Immanuel, which details the secrets of the church, said he had been contacted by Ms Marten in 2011 as she was seeking help.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
He said she was "confused and traumatised".
Sources connected to the investigation said a placenta was found in the back seat of the couple's charred vehicle by fire crews. Police reportedly believed the baby was born in the car one or two days before the family went missing, reports the Manchester Evening News.
After leaving the vehicle, which they had bought six days earlier, the pair were believed to have walked to Anchor Bridge, which links Little Hulton and Highfield. They used cash to travel by taxi first to Liverpool and then to Colchester.
Mark Gordon and Constance Marten on Whitechapel Road in London (PA)The last sighting of them was in London, and Scotland Yard has now taken over the search. Constance was last sighted on January 7 at East Ham station in Newham, east London, between 11.45am and 12.30pm.
The Metropolitan Police said detectives from Essex Police established the trio took a taxi from Harwich to East Ham station that day. While near Harwich port, Essex, Constance was seen appearing to carry the child under a bright red shawl.
Each time Ms Marten and Mr Gordon are spotted on CCTV, they are covering their faces or looking away, and have kept their baby covered up. Investigators said the couple appeared to know how to evade authorities - making the search for them harder.