Quick Read
- Constance Marten, born into privilege, spiraled into tragedy after a tumultuous upbringing.
- Her mother, Virginie de Selliers, introduced her to evangelical Christianity, which some believe influenced her path.
- Constance and her partner Mark Gordon were sentenced to a combined 28 years for the manslaughter of their newborn daughter.
- The family dynamics, including estrangement and failed reconnections, remain a focal point of the story.
Constance Marten, once a promising figure born into aristocratic privilege, now stands at the center of one of the most harrowing criminal cases in recent memory. The 38-year-old former journalist and aspiring actress, alongside her partner Mark Gordon, has been sentenced to a combined 28 years in prison for the manslaughter of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The case has captivated public attention not only for its tragic details but also for the complex family dynamics and upbringing that may have contributed to her descent.
A Life of Privilege and Promise
Born into a family with deep aristocratic ties, Constance’s early life was one of luxury and opportunity. Her father, Napier Marten, was a former page to Queen Elizabeth II, while her mother, Virginie de Selliers, is a Belgian-born psychotherapist specializing in trauma and family therapy. Despite this gilded upbringing, cracks began to appear early. Napier’s decision to abandon the family for a life of spiritual exploration in Australia left Virginie to raise their five children alone. Constance, just nine years old at the time, was profoundly affected by this upheaval.
Virginie later remarried a wealthy Belgian banker, Guy de Selliers, and moved the family to London. Constance attended St. Mary’s School in Shaftesbury, a prestigious boarding school, but her teenage years were marked by rebellion. In 2006, Virginie introduced her daughter to the evangelical Holy Trinity Brompton Church, which many believe set the stage for Constance’s later struggles. The two embarked on a pilgrimage to Nigeria, where they stayed at the controversial Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). The experience, described as deeply unsettling, left Constance “completely broken apart,” according to her own accounts.
The Nigeria Connection
In Lagos, Constance was reportedly handpicked by SCOAN’s leader, TB Joshua, to stay for an extended period. Former members have since accused Joshua of abuse, alleging that white female disciples were particularly targeted. Constance described being starved, humiliated, and subjected to psychological manipulation. “The leader looked me in the eye and said, ‘Your family doesn’t matter anymore. I’m your father now,’” she recalled.
Virginie, who stayed for only a few weeks, later helped her daughter leave the church. However, the damage had already been done. Friends and family noted a stark change in Constance’s demeanor upon her return to the UK. Once vibrant and outgoing, she became withdrawn and struggled to reintegrate into her former life.
A Downward Spiral
After enrolling in an Arabic course at Leeds University in 2008, Constance seemed to regain some stability. She pursued journalism and acting, even earning a spot in Tatler magazine as “Babe of the Month.” But by 2016, her life took another dark turn. That year, she met Mark Gordon, a man with a violent past, including a 22-year prison sentence in the United States for rape. Constance distanced herself from her family, sending a chilling text: “Please respect my decision, I don’t want to see any of you anymore.”
Over the next several years, Virginie made repeated attempts to reconnect with her daughter. She hired private investigators and even offered to care for Constance’s children after social services removed them. Despite these efforts, Constance remained estranged, living an increasingly chaotic life with Gordon.
The Tragic End
In January 2023, Constance and Gordon went on the run to prevent their newborn daughter, Victoria, from being taken into care. They lived off-grid in a flimsy tent during one of the coldest months of the year. Tragically, Victoria died of hypothermia, her tiny body later found in a disused allotment shed. The couple was arrested after a 54-day nationwide manhunt.
During their trial, the court heard harrowing details of Victoria’s brief life. Prosecutors described Constance and Gordon’s actions as “reckless, utterly selfish, and callous.” Virginie attended every day of her daughter’s first trial, visibly emotional as she listened to the evidence. Yet, by the time of the retrial in 2025, she and the rest of the family were notably absent.
In a statement read by Constance’s barrister, Virginie expressed her heartbreak over her daughter’s portrayal in court. “It is my sincere hope that her courage, loyalty, and deep sense of fairness are not overlooked,” she wrote. Despite her words, the rift between mother and daughter remains unresolved.
Questions That Remain
The Marten family’s story is one of privilege, faith, and ultimately, tragedy. Virginie’s role as both a mother and a psychotherapist adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Did her introduction of Constance to evangelical Christianity inadvertently set her daughter on this path? Could more have been done to prevent the downward spiral that led to Victoria’s death?
As Constance begins her 14-year sentence, these questions linger. For Virginie, who once wrote an open letter pleading for her daughter’s safe return, the pain of what could have been will likely never fade.
In the end, the Marten family’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the intersections of privilege, faith, and the enduring impact of parental decisions. It is a reminder that even the most gilded lives are not immune to tragedy.