Effingham County Judge Found in Courtroom
Judge Stephen Yekel, a Georgia state judge, tragically died by suicide on his final day in office. According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, he appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
The incident occurred at the Effingham County Courthouse, where a sheriff’s deputy discovered Yekel’s body between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. Authorities believe the incident happened overnight.
Investigation Underway
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducting the autopsy.
Yekel’s Recent Resignation Attempt
Reports indicate Judge Yekel recently attempted to resign after losing his reelection bid earlier this year. However, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp denied the resignation. Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie confirmed that Yekel sent a letter to the governor, but the content of the note remains undisclosed.
Sheriff Expresses Condolences
Sheriff McDuffie shared his sympathy for Yekel’s family during this difficult time, saying:
“This is never good for anybody. The family’s distraught. This is supposed to be a happy time of year, and now they have this tragedy to deal with. We’ll be available to help them in any way we can.”
A Career Spanning Decades
Judge Yekel had over 45 years of experience in law. He was appointed to the state court by Governor Kemp in 2022, according to local reports.
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This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health support, especially during times of professional and personal transitions. If you or someone you know is in crisis, resources are available to help.
