Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel Found Dead by Suicide on Final Day in Office

On December 31, 2024, in Effingham County Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel, a well-known Georgian legal practitioner, was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the last day of business. The sad finding happened in an empty courtroom at the Effingham County Courthouse, shocking and depressing the nearby residents.

Discovery and Investigation

According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy came upon Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel approximately about 10:30 a.m. Preliminary research points to his suicide death the evening before. To verify the cause of death, Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) will an autopsy. Saying he was sorry for Yekel’s family, McDuffie stated, “This is a devastating loss.” “We are here to help them through this unthinkable period.”

Yekel’s Career and Contributions

Georgia is Over 45 years in law and public service, Judge Stephen Yekel had an illustrious career. Governor Brian Kemp named him to the Effingham County State Court in 2022, so covering Judge Ronnie Thompson’s unexpired term. Yekel served decades of private attorney, law enforcement officer, and pro tem judge in Chatham County courts. Yekel worked privately as a lawyer from 1980 until 2005 before his court nomination.

He also held positions as special agent with Georgia’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and investigator for the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office in addition to legal counsel for Savannah’s mayor. Since 1989, Yekel has lived in Effingham County, where he was much loved. He was a central person in the society because of his great contributions to the judicial system and his will to justice.

Electoral Defeat and Challenges

Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel has had professional difficulties lately. Yekel tried to quit following his loss of his reelection effort against Judge Melissa Calhoun in the June 18 runoff election. Governor Kemp objected to his resignation, nevertheless. Although Yekel allegedly wrote a note to the governor just before his death, its contents are yet unknown. These incidents compounded the demands on Yekel’s last days in office.

Community Response and Courthouse Operations

Chief Judge F. Gates Peed, respecting Yekel and his family, directed the courthouse closed for the rest of December 31.Typical court business is set to begin on January 2, 2025. The local community still laments Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel considering his decades-long dedication to enforce the law.

His services to Georgia and Effingham County left a legacy.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities look at the events underlying the death of Georgia Judge Stephen Yekel often. Officials advise anyone with more information to come forward in order to help Yekel’s family and the community closure be provided.