Recovered/Located UK - Constance Marten & Mark Gordon & Newborn, left a broken down car on motorway, Bolton Greater Manchester, 5 Jan 2023

[4441]

Having a look a tent Martin bought it really doesnt look one of the best tents money can buy. It is also the cheapest of the three 2 man tents Argos have for sale on there website at £45. The reviews arent the greatest either, with 1 review saying it’s not really big enough even for one man. I think if someone was serious about camping out in winter for a decent amount of time you would go to a specialist outdoor shop where u can spend more money but get something that might make the camping experience more tolerable in winter.
Just MOO, this I think the tent would be for emergency use only or even a possible decoy.

I was thinking the same about the decoy and I hope that is the case but the three hours trying to get a taxi seems like they don’t have any safe place to go.

 

[Earthwindfire]

Having a look a tent Martin bought it really doesnt look one of the best tents money can buy. It is also the cheapest of the three 2 man tents Argos have for sale on there website at £45. The reviews arent the greatest either, with 1 review saying it’s not really big enough even for one man. I think if someone was serious about camping out in winter for a decent amount of time you would go to a specialist outdoor shop where u can spend more money but get something that might make the camping experience more tolerable in winter.
Just MOO, this I think the tent would be for emergency use only or even a possible decoy.

Argos aren't known for their camping gear. Decathlon do decent tents and four season sleeping bags.

 

[kittythehare]

Argos aren't known for their camping gear. Decathlon do decent tents and four season sleeping bags.

This suggests they do not have funds.
It's possible all they have was resourced from begging.
It's also possible that if she does have access to funding, she is unaware of it or has forgotten. She may be very ill.

Those images are all 17 days old.
Where are they now?

Those alleged taxi fares would have set them up in accommodation for several days..
Warm safe accommodation.
Until she regained her strength or the weather improved.
That's what is so sad.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Detectives fear for their baby's safety in freezing temperatures and having received no medical attention since birth in early January.

On Tuesday, police said that Mr Gordon went into Argos on Whitechapel Road, east London, at 6.19pm on Saturday January 7 to buy camping gear including a blue two-person tent.

The family then walked around the area for more than three hours, trying to flag down three black cabs who all refused to take them as passengers.

Missing woman sleeping rough in freezing temperatures with newborn baby - police

A missing woman who has been living off-grid with her newborn baby and partner...

planetradio.co.uk

 

[little_mi]

Argos aren't known for their camping gear. Decathlon do decent tents and four season sleeping bags.

Maybe there was no Decathlon nearby? I don't know London but aren't Decathlon shops usually found on city outskirts?

 

[Themac101]

This suggests they do not have funds.
It's possible all they have was resourced from begging.
It's also possible that if she does have access to funding, she is unaware of it or has forgotten. She may be very ill.

Those images are all 17 days old.
Where are they now?

Those alleged taxi fares would have set them up in accommodation for several days..
Warm safe accommodation.
Until she regained her strength or the weather improved.
That's what is so sad.

I just can’t see someone with very low funds taking taxi rides up and down the country. I couldn’t even guess what the fare from Liverpool to the south coast would be. That’s just one of the trips they’ve made.

 

[JumpingFrog]

I'm just wondering why with loads and loads of cash (the cost of those taxis) they came to London (aside from having lived there for several years before). And then got camping gear in London? Where do Londoners go camping anyway does anyone know?
I genuinely can't believe that parents (no victim shaming here, this is rhetorical, we simply don't know either way what has or is happening, no aspersions) would do all the things people are suggesting/police are implying/press are running wild with. Where is the proof they're sleeping outside in January with a newborn? I can't actually believe anyone let alone experienced parents would do such a thing. Why travel across England to do that? Something's not ringing true to me. First the police were worried baby and C hadn't had medical attention following birth, now the Met are accusing them of reckless/nonsensical behaviour?

 

[Kelly C]

This may seem obvious but why did 3 black cabs refuse to take them do you think?

 

[JumpingFrog]

I just can’t see someone with very low funds taking taxi rides up and down the country. I couldn’t even guess what the fare from Liverpool to the south coast would be. That’s just one of the trips they’ve made.

Yeah, honestly my intelligent guess is that this CCTV and behaviour is to throw people off the trail. I think it's red herrings and it's worked cos it's been how many days now?

 

[JumpingFrog]

This may seem obvious but why did 3 black cabs refuse to take them do you think?

Maybe cos huge bags and a pram?

 

[Kelly C]

Maybe cos huge bags and a pram?

Maybe but I thought cabs are equipped for this- buggies, wheelchairs, suitcases? It’s all so sad

 

[ifindedout]

Maybe there was no Decathlon nearby? I don't know London but aren't Decathlon shops usually found on city outskirts?

Map of Decathlons around London, and throughout England:

 

[little_mi]

Anyone else thinking they might be sleeping in tent to avoid checking into hotels? Probably by now they would be recognised by staff even if trying to book under false name

 

[JumpingFrog]

Anyone else thinking they might be sleeping in tent to avoid checking into hotels? Probably by now they would be recognised by staff even if trying to book under false name

I considered that, it would suggest they could have mobile.phones with the internet (news stories). If that were so, why would they walk for 3 hours for a taxi and then 'give up'? They'd call a taxi right? I was thinking about these things earlier and that's why I've kinda reached a point where I think they may (only MOO) have created a wild goose chase on purpose/red herrings. But idk! Just feel for them.

 

[little_mi]

Map of Decathlons around London, and throughout England:

Thank you. So they got to the Argos on Whitechapel Road after 6 p.m. so it was already late and dark. It looks like a closest Decathlon is an hour walk away. That could explain why they went for a less obvious outdoor shopping spot choice. I also don't think they have money issue so wouldn't make sense to travel to save few pounds after they've spent hundreds on taxis.

 

[Bibno]

This may seem obvious but why did 3 black cabs refuse to take them do you think?

Distance is generally the only reason black cabs would refuse a fare. They are obliged to take passengers anywhere within the geographical area they are licensed in but not outside that area.

 

[AmandaSkis]

That latest sighting of them from Jan 7 and all of the questions we are asking here on WS would seem to indicate that they are not thinking clearly. I have not seen any evidence of drug use/abuse so I am wondering more if this a folie a deux. Both of them caught up in some kind of paranoia (which is real in the sense that, yes, police are looking for them). I feel so sad for her and the baby.

 

[Dpdan]

I don't think it is possible in this weather to sleep in a tent with only a sleeping bag - no sleeping mats?
Could they be using the sleeping bags on a friend's floor and using the tent to shelter their belongings on an apartment balcony or similar? I've pitched a small tent on a balcony before.

 

[Earthwindfire]

Maybe there was no Decathlon nearby? I don't know London but aren't Decathlon shops usually found on city outskirts?

I wasn't suggesting they should have searched better...I was just stating that camping gear bought in Argos will not be durable I'm the summer, let alone in winter!

 

[Earthwindfire]

I'm just wondering why with loads and loads of cash (the cost of those taxis) they came to London (aside from having lived there for several years before). And then got camping gear in London? Where do Londoners go camping anyway does anyone know?
I genuinely can't believe that parents (no victim shaming here, this is rhetorical, we simply don't know either way what has or is happening, no aspersions) would do all the things people are suggesting/police are implying/press are running wild with. Where is the proof they're sleeping outside in January with a newborn? I can't actually believe anyone let alone experienced parents would do such a thing. Why travel across England to do that? Something's not ringing true to me. First the police were worried baby and C hadn't had medical attention following birth, now the Met are accusing them of reckless/nonsensical behaviour?

They won't be camping in any obvious spots. My guess would be somewhere forest like where you shouldn't camp. Maybe Epping Forest. But really they could be anywhere, even just in a small piece of woodland hidden behind some houses.