Wisconsin woman leaves behind ‘Please don’t shoot me. I’m sorry’ in final phone message. One high-speed chase later, the questions remain

A disturbing message heard by family members — “Please don’t shoot me. I’m sorry” — initially sparked an urgent missing-person investigation after 24-year-old Gabriella Cartagena was last seen in Marinette, Wisconsin, on Feb. 4, 2026.

But on Feb. 10, the City of Marinette Police Department announced in a brief social media update that Cartagena has been located. “More information will be released as soon as possible,” the message said. “We would like to thank the entire community for the help we have received,” the department wrote. Authorities have not released any details about where she was found and have not commented on her condition.

Cartagena had last been observed near Red Arrow Park in Marinette around 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, according to police. After she failed to return home, a missing-person report was filed the next day, triggering a multi-agency search across Marinette County and neighboring jurisdictions. Investigators had classified her disappearance as “involuntarily missing” as they pursued leads tied to her last known movements.

Person of interest: Who is Robert Chilcote?

A major development in the case came with the arrest of 29-year-old Robert Alan Chilcote, whom family members said was the last person to see Cartagena before she disappeared. Chilcote was taken into custody in Monticello, Minnesota, after allegedly leading deputies on a high-speed chase that exceeded 100 mph, according to court records.

Wright County deputies reported finding a loaded AR-15 rifle inside Chilcote’s vehicle at the time of his arrest. He was booked on Feb. 9, 2026, on charges of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and being a fugitive from justice from another state. A judge set his bail at $500,000 cash.

Authorities in Wisconsin also filed a count of aggravated battery against Chilcote and have requested his extradition to Marinette County, according to court documents. However, it has not been publicly confirmed whether that charge is directly connected to Cartagena’s case. Court records in Wisconsin remain sealed, and no formal charges tied specifically to Cartagena’s disappearance have been filed.

Investigation continues

Even after Cartagena was located, investigators have not released details about the circumstances surrounding where she was found or what led to her recovery.

Prior to the Feb. 10 announcement, law enforcement had asked residents and businesses to review security camera footage from Feb. 4 between 9:25 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. for possible sightings of a red Toyota Prius believed to be connected to her last known movements. It is unclear whether that request is still active.

Despite Chilcote’s arrest and his designation as a person of interest, law enforcement has not charged him with any crime specifically tied to Cartagena’s disappearance. Investigators have also not disclosed the nature of the relationship between the two. Her family has confirmed they know each other.

Chilcote’s next court hearing in Minnesota is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2026, where prosecutors are expected to address his pending charges and the extradition request to Wisconsin.