A judge was found dead in a Georgia courtroom on what was to be his last day on the job, authorities said Tuesday.
Effingham County sheriff’s deputies found State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, Tuesday morning. He appears to have committed suicide, the sheriff’s office said.
Yekel, who was appointed to the position two years ago by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, lost his election bid earlier this year. His term was scheduled to end on December 31, 2024.
“The family is distraught,” Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie told reporters Tuesday. “This time of year is supposed to be happy and now they have this.”
McDuffie said one of his deputies discovered Yekel’s body after authorities were sent to court with a report of a possible suicide at 10:20 a.m. It appears Yekel may have died Monday night, he said.
Court was not in session Tuesday, the sheriff said, adding that Yekel’s autopsy will be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Yekel was admitted to the state bar on June 14, 1976, and was in good standing at the time of his death, bar records show.
He presided over preliminary criminal matters and other cases in Springfield, about 26 miles north of Savannah.
In a Dec. 2 letter to Kemp, Yekel noted his failed election effort and called for his resignation, a copy of the memo shows. Yekel won the initial round of voting in May, but lost in the second round.
Yekel requested that the effective date of his resignation be December 30, one day before the end of his term, a copy of the memo shows.
“I believe the Effingham state court judgeship is too important to be decided by just 6% of Effingham County’s eligible voters,” he said.
Kemp rejected their request, saying the results of a fair election “should not be overturned on the basis of fabricated legal technicalities.”
A spokesperson for Kemp declined to comment on the investigation, citing an open investigation, but said, “Judge Yekel’s family and loved ones are in all of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
