Georgia Judge Discovered Deceased in Courthouse
On Tuesday morning, Judge Stephen Yekel of the Effingham County State Court was found by a sheriff’s deputy in the courthouse.
A Georgian state court judge was discovered dead in a county courtroom on Tuesday morning from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as reported by a local sheriff.
Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was located in the courthouse by a sheriff’s deputy between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. The court was not in session at that time.
Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie stated that preliminary evidence indicates that Yekel likely took his own life the night before.
“A note was sent to the governor’s office,” McDuffie mentioned during a press conference, though he added that the specifics regarding the note’s content are still under investigation. A copy of the note has reportedly circulated on social media, but authorities have not confirmed its validity.
Yekel, who was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in June 2022, had served as a state court judge for nearly two years.
Related Stories
In his resignation letter submitted to Kemp on December 6, Yekel stated he would resign by December 30. However, Kemp responded on December 12, saying, “Your resignation is not effective unless and until I accept it … I must decline to do so.”
“While we cannot comment on an active investigation, Judge Yekel’s family and loved ones remain in our thoughts and prayers during this challenging time,” Kemp’s office informed WSAV News 3.
McDuffie expressed his sympathies to the Yekel family, noting that this tragedy has profoundly impacted the local legal community.
“This situation is never beneficial for anyone,” McDuffie stated. “The family is heartbroken. It’s meant to be a joyous time of year, and they’ve been struck with this misfortune.”
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing the investigation into Yekel’s death, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) assisting in the autopsy process.
“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 extend our condolences to his family and loved ones,” the statement posted on Facebook reads.
A crisis response team has been established at the Effingham County Administrative Complex, with further support services planned for employees in the upcoming days.
The Epoch Times reached out to Kemp’s office for a statement but had not received a response prior to publication.
