Share and Follow
Background: News footage of Red Arrow Park in Marinette, Wis. (WISN). Inset (left): Gabriella Cartagena (Marinette Police Department). Inset (right): Robert Chilcote (Wright County Sheriff”s Office).
A Wisconsin woman, who alarmed her family with a distressing phone call, has been discovered deceased, as confirmed by police.
The Marinette Police Department reported that 24-year-old Gabriella Cartagena was last seen on February 4th. That evening, at 7:19 p.m., her mother received a call from Cartagena. During this call, according to local ABC affiliate WBAY, Cartagena was heard pleading, “Please don’t shoot me, I’m sorry.” This prompted her family to report her missing. They suspected she was at Red Arrow Park in Marinette, Wisconsin, with her boyfriend, 29-year-old Robert Chilcote.
After searching across several Midwest states for days, police confirmed during a press conference on Thursday that Cartagena was found dead on Tuesday in Menominee County, Michigan.
Upon investigating Red Arrow Park, the Marinette Police discovered “possible blood and other disturbances,” which fueled their search for clues regarding Cartagena’s whereabouts.
Meanwhile, authorities in Wright County, Minnesota, located Chilcote. According to a statement obtained by WBAY, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office was alerted on February 5th, identifying Chilcote as a person of interest in a case involving aggravated assault and possible homicide.
When deputies from the Wright County Sheriff’s Department spotted Chilcote’s red Prius, they initiated a traffic stop. Although he initially complied, Chilcote refused to leave the vehicle and sped away, leading officers on a high-speed chase that reached 100 mph. The pursuit ended when deputies deployed stop sticks, which Chilcote tried to evade but ultimately drove over a median and into a stop sign. This allowed deputies to apprehend him.
Chilcote was arrested for fleeing a peace officer and for being a fugitive wanted in another state. He is being held in Wright County on $100,000 bond.
WBAY was the first to report about the final phone call between Cartagena and her mother, which police confirmed took place on the evening of Feb. 4. Local Fox affiliate WLUK said that her phone’s location at the time of that call placed her at Red Arrow Park.
Marinette Police Chief Jon LaCombe said during the press conference that detectives from his department traveled to Minnesota to speak to Chilcote while he was in custody there. Details of that interview were not revealed.
Chilcote’s movements during the days that Cartagena was missing led authorities to a wooded area in Menominee County, Michigan, where Cartagena’s body was found on Tuesday. LaCombe said authorities believe Cartagena was killed in Red Arrow Park and Chilcote transported her body to Michigan to dispose of it.
Marinette County District Attorney DeShea Morrow said during the press conference that they have requested Chilcote’s extradition to face charges of aggravated battery. Additional charges may follow pending the results of an autopsy on Cartagena, which was expected to take place on Thursday.
Once he is booked into the Marinette County Jail, Chilcote’s bail will be set at $500,000 cash. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 20.
Cartagena’s family started a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and travel expenses so her family can attend. On the campaign’s page, her brother stated that she leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter.