The state of Georgia was shaken by the tragic death of Effingham County Judge Stephen Yekel, who reportedly took his own life in his courtroom just before his scheduled retirement. At 74, Judge Yekel was discovered by a deputy around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, though he is believed to have died late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
Judge Yekel, who had served as a judge since his appointment by Governor Brian Kemp in June 2022, was set to retire that very day, having lost his re-election bid earlier in the year. Yekel had an extensive legal career, working as a lawyer for over 45 years and holding positions with the Georgia Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
Reports reveal that prior to his death, Judge Yekel had attempted to resign from his judicial post, but Governor Kemp declined to accept his resignation. A note was reportedly sent to the Governor’s office, but the contents of the message have not been disclosed.
Sources indicated that Judge Yekel’s personal life had been marked by several challenges. His ex-wife, Lisa Yekel, mentioned the couple’s financial troubles, which stemmed from a failed daycare business that ultimately led to bankruptcy. Lisa revealed that she had used her ex-husband’s life savings to keep the business afloat. Judge Yekel also struggled with the loss of his best friend and a wrongful termination lawsuit.
The Judge leaves behind four children: Sean, Ashleigh, Blake, and Brett. Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with an autopsy to be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The courtroom where the tragedy occurred remains closed and is scheduled to reopen on January 2.