MARINETTE, Wis. (WFRV) – Marinette police and assisting agencies have shed new light on the investigation into what happened to Gabriella Cartagena after she was reported missing on Feb. 5.
Investigators said Cartagena was last seen at Red Arrow Park in Marinette with her boyfriend, 29-year-old Robert Chilcote.
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“Shortly after receiving that information, Marinette Police Department officers arrived at Red Arrow and immediately recognized evidence indicating the area was a potential crime scene,” said Marinette Police Public Information Officer Brad Bayerl.
Cartagena’s mother told police the last contact with her daughter occurred during a phone call, during which she overheard Cartagena say, “Please don’t shoot me, I’m sorry.”
Early in the investigation, authorities identified Chilcote as a person of interest.
“He was the last person we know to have been with her and was with her when the phone call took place,” said Marinette Police Chief Jon LaCombe. “There were also conversations with family members confirming he was with her.”
Using cellphone tracking and other investigative methods, authorities tracked Chilcote’s movements from Red Arrow Park into Menominee County, Michigan.
“We were able to locate video from the area of Red Arrow Park and nearby locations,” LaCombe said. “Residential and business cameras helped track him into Menominee, where local law enforcement continued the investigation.”
Cartagena’s body was later found in Menominee County.
Authorities in Minnesota worked with Marinette police to locate Chilcote. He was arrested following a pursuit and was found with multiple firearms in his vehicle.
Chilcote is currently booked in the Wright County Jail.
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“There was no force or retaliation from him at the end of the pursuit,” LaCombe said. “Several firearms were located in his vehicle at the time of his arrest. It is not yet known whether those weapons were involved in this incident.”
Officials said they are awaiting autopsy results as they begin the extradition process to return Chilcote to Wisconsin.
