Mother’s Final Plea Recorded—Then He Clocked In
A 29-year-old Wisconsin man confessed to shooting his girlfriend in the head after her family heard her final plea—”Please don’t shoot me. I’m sorry”—during a chilling phone call that captured the young mother’s last moments alive.
Story Overview
- Robert Chilcote, 29, charged with first-degree intentional homicide after confessing to shooting Gabriella Cartagena, 24, during an argument inside his car
- Family members recorded Cartagena’s desperate final words during a phone call, providing crucial evidence of her awareness of imminent danger
- Chilcote transported Cartagena’s body across state lines to Michigan, then returned to Wisconsin and clocked into his Walmart shift before fleeing to Minnesota
- The victim leaves behind a three-year-old daughter and a community mourning another senseless loss to domestic violence
Tragic Final Moments Captured on Phone Call
Gabriella Cartagena’s family heard her beg for her life during a phone call on February 4, 2026, around 5 p.m. at Red Arrow Park in Marinette, Wisconsin. Family members recorded the audio as Cartagena pleaded, “Please don’t shoot me. I’m sorry,” during what would become her final moments. Chilcote later confessed to investigators that he shot Cartagena in the head with a .22 pistol during a heated argument inside a red Prius. He claimed he was attempting to “scare her with the gun” when it accidentally discharged, though the audio evidence contradicts any notion of an accident.
Calculated Actions Following the Killing
After shooting Cartagena, Chilcote engaged in deliberate actions that reveal consciousness of guilt rather than panic over an accident. He removed Cartagena’s body from the vehicle and placed her on the ground at Red Arrow Park before returning her to the car. He disposed of her phone, then drove her body across state lines to Michigan, abandoning it in a wooded area near Birch Creek Road in Menominee County. Demonstrating remarkable coldness, Chilcote returned to Wisconsin and clocked into his Walmart shift around 10 p.m. that same evening, working several hours before quitting and citing “personal reasons.”
Multi-State Manhunt Ends in High-Speed Chase
Cartagena’s family reported her missing on February 5 after losing contact following that horrifying phone call. Law enforcement moved quickly, identifying Chilcote as a suspect and tracking him across state lines. Wright County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota located Chilcote and engaged in a high-speed pursuit before successfully apprehending him. Officers discovered a firearm and ammunition in his vehicle during the arrest. Meanwhile, investigators located blood evidence at Red Arrow Park, confirming it as the crime scene. Cartagena’s body was discovered five days later in Michigan, with the Walworth County Medical Examiner confirming death by gunshot wound to the head.
Six-Month Relationship Ends in Deadly Violence
Cartagena and Chilcote had been dating for approximately six months after meeting as coworkers at a Walmart in the Marinette area. They had been living together for most of their relationship. Cartagena, who had relocated to Marinette from Milwaukee about a year earlier with her family, was a devoted mother to a three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. The case underscores the dangers inherent in domestic disputes involving firearms. Chilcote’s claim of accidental discharge rings hollow against the forensic evidence and that devastating audio recording. This tragedy illustrates how quickly arguments can turn deadly when weapons are introduced, and why Second Amendment advocates emphasize responsible gun ownership and storage.
Justice System Confronts Another Domestic Violence Homicide
Chilcote faces first-degree intentional homicide charges and remains incarcerated at Wright County Jail in Minnesota, awaiting extradition to Wisconsin. The unsealed criminal complaint on February 17 revealed details of his confession to investigators. The case required coordination between law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, demonstrating the complexity of cross-border criminal investigations. The Marinette community gathered for a vigil at Red Arrow Park on February 18 to honor Cartagena’s memory. Her daughter now faces growing up without her mother, another innocent victim of domestic violence that escalated to murder. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of recognizing warning signs in relationships and the devastating consequences when conflicts turn violent.
Sources:
‘Please don’t shoot me. I’m sorry’: Gabriella Cartagena’s Boyfriend Confesses to Killing Her
Gabriella Cartagena vigil: Marinette community honors woman allegedly killed by boyfriend