A homicide charge has been filed against a man in connection to the death of a missing 24-year-old woman whose body was found last week in Menominee County. Online court records show 29-year-old Robert Chilcote is charged with one count of First-Degree Intentional Homicide in the death of Gabriella Cartagena. Authorities say Cartagena was last seen on February 4th at around 5 p.m. at Red Arrow Park in Marinette with Chilcote, who police identify as the last person known to have seen her. Police received a missing person report the following day and say responding officers quickly recognized the park as a potential crime scene after locating signs of possible blood and disturbances near the Bird Street entrance.
Investigators say surveillance video and cell phone data helped trace Chilcote’s movements from Red Arrow Park through Marinette and into Menominee. Law enforcement tracked the vehicle leaving the area, traveling north out of Menominee, and returning roughly 20 minutes later. That timeframe, along with cell tower information, helped narrow the search area where Cartagena’s body was later discovered in a wooded location near Birch Creek Road.
Marinette Police requested assistance from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota on February 5th after identifying Chilcote as a person of interest. Authorities there later took him into custody following a high-speed pursuit that ended when he lost control of the vehicle. Police say multiple firearms were recovered from the car at the time of his arrest. Detectives traveled to Minnesota to interview Chilcote. Officials have not released details about that interview. Chief Jon LaCombe says the investigation relied heavily on cooperation from the public, including surveillance footage and tips that helped investigators track movements across multiple jurisdictions.
The case involves coordination between several agencies, including Marinette Police, the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, Menominee Police, Menominee County authorities, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marinette County District Attorney’s Office.
A Visitation and Service for Gabriella will be held February 20th at Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Homes Bay View Chapel in Milwaukee.
Meanwhile, Cartagena’s family is planning a candlelight vigil, and a fundraiser has been established to assist with funeral and travel expenses.
The investigation remains ongoing.









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