A Georgia state judge has taken his own life inside his courtroom.
The body of Judge Stephen Yekel was discovered inside Effingham County State Court on Tuesday morning. He is believed to have shot himself dead.
Yekel, 74, had recently lost a bid for re-election and was found by a deputy on what would have been his last day on the bench, WSAV reports.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now probing the horrific incident.
Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said Yekel was discovered around 10am, but it appeared he had shot himself late Monday night or early Tuesday.
Yekel was appointed to the state court in 2022. He had tried to resign from his position, but was prevented from doing so by Governor Brian Kemp.
McDuffie said he understood Yekel had sent a note to the Governor’s office regarding the resignation, but did not disclose its contents.
The courtroom has been closed and will resume normal business on January 2.
‘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,’ a statement from the county read.
Father-of-four Yekel was a former assistant district attorney in Chatham County and practicing lawyer with more than 45 years of experience.
He previously held roles as a special agent with the state’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and was an investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
Yekel’s resignation letter to Governor Kemp cites his disappointment with low turnout for the election he lost. In the event a judge resigns, a new one would be appointed by the Governor rather than voted in.
Yekel wrote the position is, ‘too important to be decided by only 6% of eligible voters’.
But Kemp rejected the resignation request, stating he wishes to maintain, ‘respect for the will of the people of Effingham County.’
In May, Yekel’s ex-wife Lisa Yekel shared a post on Facebook which outlined several issues reportedly plaguing his re-election campaign.
She dismissed rumors their divorce the year before was due to infidelity and denied that he had asked a police officer not to give him a citation following a car accident.
‘His best friend who passed away recently had Steve’s car in his shop for repairs and loaned him a vehicle to use, which is the reason he was not driving his car when he was involved in the accident,’ she wrote.
‘He was on the way home after visiting our daughter who had just moved into her apartment in Pooler.
‘The Steve Yekel I know never would have asked the police officer not to give him a citation. He has always taken responsibility for his actions.’
She also hinted at financial problems the couple had faced over a failed daycare business.
‘He did everything he could to avoid bankruptcy,’ she added. ‘Unfortunately, I had used his life savings to keep the daycare open.
‘In my defense, I was too lenient on parents who couldn’t pay their bills and they eventually left owing thousands of dollars, again that’s my fault, not Steve’s.’
She concluded the post by stating her ex-husband was, ‘one of the most respectful, honest, and caring people I know’ and urged people to re-elect him.
A profile in the Effingham Herald about Yekel’s campaign states that he and his ex-wife moved to the area in 1999.
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The couple share two children Sean and Ashleigh, who they raised alongside Yekel’s sons Blake and Brett.
‘Throughout my service, I’ve upheld the principles of dignity, respect, and impartiality, treating all individuals, whether represented by legal counsel or not, with fairness and equality,’ Yekel said in a post about his campaign.
Yekel ultimately lost his re-election bid to Judge Melissa M Calhoun.
The late judge was also facing a lawsuit from court employee Lisa Crawford who claims she was wrongfully terminated from her position by Yekel, WTOC reports.
Crawford was seeking $10,000 in damages amid claims Yekel fired her in order to bring in his own staff when he assumed office.
An email reportedly submitted as part of the lawsuit from Yekel to Crawford accused her of being part of a ‘conspiracy scheme’ to help people charged with DUI reduce or dismiss their charges.
Outside the courtroom, Yekel was a little league baseball coach, vice president and legal counsel for Effingham Heroes Inc. and head of the usher team at Compassion Christian Church.
‘While we are unable to provide comment on an open investigation, Judge Yekel’s family and loved ones are in all of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,’ Kemp’s office told WTOC.
