Tragedy struck Effingham County, Georgia, over the holiday season as a respected judge ended his life in a devastating turn of events.
Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, a state court judge for Effingham County, was found dead in a courtroom, having taken his own life just hours before his tenure on the bench was set to conclude.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident, stating that Judge Yekel was discovered by a deputy around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Reports indicate that the judge likely died late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
Judge Yekel had served the legal community for over four decades. Appointed to the bench in June 2022 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Yekel brought a wealth of experience to his role.
Before his judgeship, he worked as a special agent for Georgia’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and as an investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
Despite his distinguished career, Yekel’s final days were clouded by personal and professional challenges. Having lost his bid for re-election earlier in the year, Tuesday was to be his last day presiding in court.
According to reports, Yekel had previously attempted to resign from his position, but Governor Kemp declined his resignation.
In addition to the professional setback of his re-election loss, Yekel faced several personal hardships. His ex-wife, Lisa, revealed that their family’s finances had been severely impacted by a failed daycare business. “He did everything he could to avoid bankruptcy,” Lisa said, adding that they had exhausted his life savings to keep the business afloat.
The couple divorced last year, and Judge Yekel reportedly endured further emotional strain after the death of his best friend and the pressures of a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Adding to the complexity of the tragedy, officials disclosed that Yekel had sent a note to Governor Kemp’s office shortly before his death. The contents of the note have not been made public, leaving unanswered questions about his state of mind and intentions in his final hours.
Judge Yekel leaves behind four children—Sean, Ashleigh, Blake, and Brett—who now face the immense challenge of navigating life without their father. The news of his passing has reverberated throughout Effingham County, where he was well-known and respected.
Lisa Yekel expressed her sorrow and provided insight into the financial and emotional struggles that may have contributed to the judge’s decision. “It’s a tragic loss,” she said, reflecting on the toll these challenges had taken on Yekel’s life.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Judge Yekel’s death. An autopsy will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to provide further clarity.