A tragic conclusion has been reached in the case of a missing Wisconsin woman, as authorities have confirmed her death. The Marinette Police Department reported the unfortunate discovery following a tense search for 24-year-old Gabriella Cartagena, who was last seen on February 4th by her family.

Concerns escalated when Cartagena’s mother received a distressing phone call from her daughter at 7:19 p.m. the same evening. The call, as reported by WBAY, featured Cartagena’s voice pleading, “Please don’t shoot me, I’m sorry,” prompting her family to alert the authorities. They suspected she was in Red Arrow Park, Marinette, with her boyfriend, Robert Chilcote, aged 29.

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 the park, police discovered signs of “possible blood and other disturbances,” heightening fears about Cartagena’s safety. Meanwhile, the focus shifted to Chilcote, who was identified as a person of interest in connection with a potential aggravated assault and homicide, as noted in a probable cause statement accessed by WBAY.

Chilcote was eventually located in Minnesota’s Wright County. Sheriff’s deputies there were alerted on February 5th about his involvement in the case. When deputies encountered his red Prius, a high-speed chase ensued after he initially complied with a stop but then fled, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph.

The chase concluded after Chilcote’s attempt to evade stop sticks led him to drive over a median and collide with a stop sign. This mishap allowed deputies to apprehend him, bringing the pursuit to a close. He now faces charges for fleeing a peace officer and is held in Wright County on a $100,000 bond, pending extradition proceedings related to the Wisconsin investigation.

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.