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

Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after losing his reelection bid and attempting to resign earlier in December.

Judge Stephen Yekel, appointed in 2022, was found dead in the Effingham County Courthouse on December 31, his last day on the bench.
Authorities believe Yekel died by suicide late Monday night or early Tuesday morning; an autopsy will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Yekel had submitted a resignation letter earlier in December, citing low voter turnout in his runoff election loss, but Governor Brian Kemp declined to accept it.
Yekel had a legal career spanning over 45 years, serving as a special agent, investigator, assistant district attorney, and state court judge.
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners and local officials expressed condolences, and counseling resources were made available to courthouse staff.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution