Constance Marten and Mark Gordon remain in custody as remains of a baby have been found.
Police said officers discovered the remains this afternoon (Wednesday, March 1), near where Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were arrested. Miss Marten and her boyfriend Mark Gordon were arrested in Brighton on Monday night (February 27), on suspicion of child neglect after several weeks avoiding the police.
Miss Marten, 35, and Mr Gordon, 48, have been travelling around the UK by taxi since their car was found burning on the M61 in Bolton on January 5. The couple travelled from Bolton to Liverpool, then to Harwich in Essex, then to east London and then to Newhaven in Sussex, where they were seen near the ferry port on January 8.
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Det Supt Lewis Basford of the Met Police said it is "the news that we did not want to hear".
He told reporters: "It is my very sad duty to update this afternoon, police officers searching a wooded area close to where Constance and Mark Gordon were arrested discovered the remains of a baby. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.
"A crime scene is in place and work at the location is expected to continue for some time. This is an outcome that myself and that many officers who have been part of this search had hoped would not happen.
"I recognise the impact this news will have on many people who have been following this story closely and can assure them that we will do everything we possibly can to establish what has happened."
More than 200 officers and specialist search teams scoured the area around Stanmer Villas, where the couple were finally caught after a tip-off from a member of the public. They were arrested on suspicion of child neglect, and later on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The force added it is "imperative" that members of the public refrain from speculation. Det Supt Basford confirmed that Constance Marten and Mark Gordon remain in police custody.
He said: "An application for an extension of their detention for a further 36 hours was sought and granted by Brighton Magistrates Court."
Chief Superintendent James Collis from Sussex Police said the announcement will be "heartbreaking" for the local community.
He said: "I would first and foremost like to extend my heartfelt condolences on behalf of Sussex Police to the wider family of the baby at this time. I understand that the conclusion of this search will be heartbreaking for the local community and the wider public who have been impacted by and so supportive of this search and the investigation from the outset.
"I would like to thank again the public, including the member of public whose information led to the arrests, the huge number of people who came forward with information and those that have volunteered to assist with the searches.
"We continue to support the Metropolitan Police as they conduct their investigation and also the wider community as we all come to terms with this tragedy."
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