SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (WSAV) – An Effingham County state court judge has died by suicide.
WSAV is told Judge Stephen Yekel took his own life in a county courtroom and was found by a deputy Tuesday morning.
Court was not in session Tuesday.
Judge Stephen Yekel (courtesy of the Effingham Herald)
The judge lost his run for reelection this year, and this would have been his last day on the bench.
News 3 is told Yekel tried to resign from his position but it was denied by Gov. Brian Kemp.
Officials said there was a note sent to Kemp's office, but the details of the message have not been released.
Yekel was appointed to the state court position in June 2022 by the governor.
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The Effingham County Board of Commissioners released a statement on Yekel's death which says, in part:
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 board said support and resources are being made available to county staff.
Yekel was a practicing lawyer in the area for more than 45 years.
He worked as a special agent for Georgia’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and was an investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
Yekel was a former assistant district attorney in Chatham County and held court positions.
The Effingham County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will perform an autopsy.
The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available at 988. Visit wsav.com/crisishotline for more resources available for free, 24/7.