In a tragic turn of events, the man accused of executing Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson has been found dead just a mile away from where his car had been abandoned. The Washington County Sheriff's Office made the announcement on Thursday, putting an end to a week-long manhunt for Pedro Argote.

The incident occurred on October 19, following a contentious divorce hearing in which Argote had lost custody of his children. Just hours after the hearing, Argote allegedly showed up at Wilkinson's home and fatally shot the beloved judge in the driveway. Testimony from the custody hearing revealed shocking details of Argote's treatment of his family, including surveillance through in-house cameras and physical abuse.

Argote's ex-wife testified that he would even go so far as to stuff a towel into their crying baby's mouth, and that he constantly carried a gun while surveilling her. His oldest daughter echoed these claims, stating that Argote was always watching her every move through the cameras. Both women described him as abusive, resorting to violence with whatever object was within his reach.

Judge Wilkinson, recognizing the severity of the situation, ordered that Argote have no contact with his children or ex-wife. He also granted sole possession of the family home to the ex-wife, as well as use of Argote's Mercedes for necessary medical appointments and shopping trips. Despite these measures, Argote managed to flee after the alleged murder, prompting the extensive manhunt.

The search for Argote intensified after his car was found abandoned last week near Hagerstown, a small city near the Pennsylvania border. Authorities expanded their efforts across several states, hoping to locate the fugitive. Eventually, the search led them to a heavily wooded area north of where the car had been found, where Argote's body was discovered.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office did not release a cause of death for Argote, but they have scheduled a press conference for 3 p.m. Thursday to provide further details. The investigation into Judge Wilkinson's murder has been ongoing, and this latest development brings some closure to the case. However, the tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those in the justice system and the importance of protecting the safety of those involved.