Georgia Judge Dies by Suicide in Courtroom on Last Day in Office

Mar. 15, 2025

Judge Stephen Yekel.Photo:Steve Yekel/Facebook

Steve Yekel/Facebook

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office said that Judge Stephen Yekel appeared to have “died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound” to the head on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at the Effingham County Courthouse, Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, told ABC affiliateWJCL.

Representatives from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office shared anews releasewith PEOPLE confirming that they conducting the investigation into Judge Yekel’s death and that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct the autopsy.

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The sheriff also confirmed that a note from Yekel was sent to Kemp, but it has not been determined exactly what the note contains.

Speaking directly to Yekel’s family in the interview, McDuffie offered his condolences.

“This is never good for anybody, the family’s 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,” he said.

source: people.com