A Georgia state judge, Stephen Yekel, was found dead in his courtroom on Tuesday morning after apparently taking his own life.
Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel shoots himself inside courtroom on last day in office. pic.twitter.com/gCuUPbiYLo
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) December 31, 2024
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The discovery was made in the Effingham County State Court, where Yekel, 74, had been serving as a judge. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has launched an investigation into the tragic incident.
Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie confirmed that Yekel was discovered around 10 a.m., but it is believed that he died late Monday night or early Tuesday.
Yekel’s death came on what would have been his last day as a judge, after he had recently lost his bid for re-election.
Yekel was appointed to the state court in 2022, and although he had attempted to resign from his position, his resignation was blocked by Governor Brian Kemp.
Sheriff McDuffie mentioned that Yekel had sent a letter to the Governor’s office but did not disclose its contents. The courtroom will remain closed until January 2, when it will resume normal operations.
Georgia Judge Ends His Own Life in Courtroom After Losing Re-Election
A Georgia state judge, Stephen Yekel, was found dead in his courtroom on Tuesday morning after apparently taking his own life.
The discovery was made in the Effingham County State Court, where Yekel, 74, had… pic.twitter.com/QTj7ahCg4c
— RVM News (@redvoicenews) December 31, 2024
In response to Yekel’s death, the Effingham County Board of Commissioners and staff issued a statement expressing their deep sorrow. “The Effingham County Board of Commissioners and staff are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Judge Steve Yekel at the Effingham County Courthouse today, and we offer our condolences to his family and loved ones,” the statement read.
Yekel, a father of four, had a long career in law. He had served as an assistant district attorney in Chatham County and had over 45 years of experience as a practicing lawyer.
He also held roles as a special agent with the state’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and worked as an investigator for the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
In May, Yekel’s ex-wife, Lisa Yekel, addressed several challenges her former husband had faced during his re-election campaign.
She clarified rumors surrounding their divorce and his involvement in a car accident, defending his character. Lisa Yekel also mentioned financial struggles the couple had faced due to a failed daycare business, noting that she had used her husband’s life savings to try to keep the daycare open. “He did everything he could to avoid bankruptcy,” she stated, adding, “Unfortunately, I had used his life savings to keep the daycare open.”
Lisa Yekel expressed that her ex-husband was “one of the most respectful, honest, and caring people I know” and encouraged people to re-elect him, despite the difficulties surrounding his campaign.
Yekel lost his re-election bid to Judge Melissa M. Calhoun. In addition to his career and personal struggles, Yekel was also facing a lawsuit from a court employee, Lisa Crawford, who claimed she was wrongfully terminated by Yekel.
Crawford alleged that Yekel fired her in order to hire his own staff after taking office.
The lawsuit, which sought $10,000 in damages, included an email from Yekel to Crawford accusing her of being involved in a “conspiracy scheme” to help reduce or dismiss DUI charges.
Outside of his judicial work, Yekel was involved in his community.
He served as a little league baseball coach, vice president and legal counsel for Effingham Heroes Inc., and as head of the usher team at Compassion Christian Church.
Yekel’s tragic passing has left the Effingham County community in mourning, as many reflect on his long career and the personal challenges he faced leading up to his death.
The GBI continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
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