Georgia State Court Judge Stephen Yekel took his own life with a gunshot in his courtroom in Effingham County, Georgia, mere hours before the end of his term. His untimely death marked a tragic end to a legal career that spanned 45 years.
Yekel, 74, was found dead between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on December 31, 2024. Investigators suspect that the incident happened late on Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death occurred after a challenging period following his unsuccessful bid for re-election. Yekel lost to Melissa Calhoun in a runoff election in July 2024, which was marked by exceedingly low voter turnout. Only 6% of eligible voters participated in the election, emphasizing the growing concerns about voter engagement in local judicial races.
Yekel attempted to resign his position on December 6, expressing his concern to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp that the role of State Court Judge of Effingham was too significant to be determined by just 6% of eligible voters. Governor Kemp, however, declined the resignation on December 12, insisting that the results of a fair election should not be annulled based on a “manufactured legal technicality.” According to sources close to the matter, such attempts at resignation towards the end of a term are rare in Georgia’s judicial history.
Before Governor Kemp appointed him to the state court in June 2022, Yekel had an extensive legal career that lasted more than four decades. His roles included serving as an assistant district attorney in Chatham County, Georgia, and working as a special agent and investigator in various legal and enforcement positions. Achievements and challenges characterized his time on the bench, and he was known for his thorough case preparation and extensive knowledge of state law.
Yekel was embroiled in professional difficulties beyond his election loss at the time of his death. A former court administrator had filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of wrongful termination and conspiracy to give preferential treatment to another judge.
Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who leads the investigation, expressed sympathy for Yekel’s family, stating, “This is never good for anybody. The family is distraught. This is supposed to be a happy time this time of year, and now they’ve got this. I can’t imagine. If they have anything they need from us, we’ll be available.” McDuffie confirmed that his office would conduct a comprehensive investigation following state protocol for government facility deaths.
Following the discovery of Yekel’s body, the Effingham County Courthouse suspended its operations temporarily. A crisis response team was activated to provide counseling services to county employees, many of whom had worked closely with Yekel.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation performed an autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. Their involvement is standard for deaths occurring within state judicial facilities.
Yekel, a married father of four, left a note addressed to Governor Kemp, whose contents have not been disclosed. During his legal career, Yekel served as a special agent with federal law enforcement agencies and held positions in multiple district attorneys’ offices throughout Georgia. Former colleagues remember him as a dedicated public servant with high professional standards. The Effingham County Board of Commissioners expressed their deep sorrow and offered their condolences to his family and loved ones.