State Court Judge Stephen Yekel died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Effingham County, Georgia, courtroom hours before his term was set to expire, marking a somber end to a 45-year legal career.
Deputies discovered the 74-year-old judge’s body between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on December 31, 2024. Investigators believe the death occurred late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
The death came after a contentious period following Yekel’s failed re-election bid. He lost to challenger Melissa Calhoun in a July 2024 runoff election that drew historically low voter participation, with only 6% of eligible voters casting ballots. The narrow margin of victory highlighted growing concerns about voter engagement in local judicial races.
On December 6, Yekel attempted to tender his resignation to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, writing that “the office of State Court Judge of Effingham was too important to be decided by only 6% of the eligible voters of Effingham County.” Governor Kemp rejected the resignation on December 12, stating that “the results of a fair election should not be nullified on the basis of a manufactured legal technicality.” Sources close to the situation indicated that such resignation attempts near term endings were uncommon in Georgia’s judicial history.
Before Governor Kemp appointed him to the state court in June 2022, Yekel built an extensive legal career spanning more than four decades. He served as an assistant district attorney in Chatham County, Georgia, and worked as a special agent and investigator across various legal and enforcement positions. His tenure on the bench was marked by accomplishments and challenges, including winning two previous elections. Colleagues noted his reputation for thorough case preparation and extensive knowledge of state law.
At the time of his death, Yekel faced professional challenges beyond the election loss. A former court administrator had filed a lawsuit against him, alleging wrongful termination and conspiracy to provide preferential treatment to another judge. The lawsuit, filed in superior court, claimed violations of state employment regulations and sought compensatory damages.
Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who leads the investigation, addressed the impact on Yekel’s family: “This is never good for anybody. The family is 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.” McDuffie confirmed that his office would conduct a thorough investigation under state protocols for deaths occurring in government facilities.
The Effingham County Courthouse suspended operations following the discovery. Officials activated a crisis response team to provide counseling services to county employees, many of whom had worked closely with Yekel during his tenure.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. The GBI’s involvement is standard for deaths occurring within state judicial facilities.
Yekel, a married father of four, left a note addressed to Governor Kemp, though authorities have not disclosed its contents. His legal career included service as a special agent with federal law enforcement agencies and positions with multiple district attorneys’ offices across Georgia. Former colleagues described him as a dedicated public servant who maintained high professional standards throughout his career. The Effingham County Board of Commissioners released a statement expressing deep sadness and offering condolences to his family and loved ones.
Judge-elect Melissa Calhoun, who was set to assume office on January 1, 2025, postponed her swearing-in ceremony out of respect for Yekel’s family. County officials announced that temporary judicial arrangements would be made to handle the court’s caseload during the transition period.
