Hours before his term was set to conclude, Stephen Yekel, a State Court Judge in Effingham County, Georgia, tragically ended his life through a self-inflicted gunshot in his own courtroom. This marked a tragic conclusion to his 45-year law career.
On December 31, 2024, the 74-year-old judge’s body was discovered by deputies between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Investigators estimated that the death took place late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
Yekel’s death follows a period of dispute after his unsuccessful re-election attempt. Yekel was defeated in a July 2024 runoff election by Melissa Calhoun, an event marked by historically low voter turnout. Only 6% of eligible voters participated, raising concerns about local judicial election engagement.
On December 6, Yekel attempted to resign from his position, arguing in a letter to Governor Brian Kemp that the State Court Judge role was too significant to be decided by such a small voter turnout. Governor Kemp rejected his resignation on December 12, asserting that election results should not be overturned due to perceived legal technicalities. This kind of resignation attempt near the end of a term is unusual in Georgia’s judicial history.
Before his appointment to the state court by Governor Kemp in June 2022, Yekel had a longstanding legal career. He served as an assistant district attorney in Chatham County, Georgia, and held various positions as a special agent and investigator. Known for his meticulous case preparation and comprehensive understanding of state law, Yekel was a respected figure in the legal community.
At the time of his death, Yekel was dealing with professional hurdles beyond his election defeat. A lawsuit had been filed against him by a former court administrator, alleging wrongful termination and conspiracy to favor another judge. The lawsuit sought compensatory damages for violations of state employment regulations.
“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,” said Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who is leading the investigation. He confirmed that his office would conduct a comprehensive investigation, following state protocols for deaths in government facilities.
The Effingham County Courthouse ceased operations in the wake of the discovery. A crisis response team was activated to provide counseling services to county employees, many of whom had worked closely with Yekel.
As part of the ongoing investigation led by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an autopsy. Their involvement is standard procedure for deaths within state judicial facilities.
Yekel, a married father of four, left a note addressed to Governor Kemp, though its contents have yet to be disclosed. His career in law included service as a special agent with federal law enforcement agencies and roles in multiple district attorneys’ offices across Georgia. He was remembered by former colleagues as a dedicated public servant who upheld high professional standards throughout his career. The Effingham County Board of Commissioners expressed profound sadness and extended condolences to his family and loved ones.
Judge-elect Melissa Calhoun, who was set to assume office on January 1, 2025, delayed her swearing-in ceremony out of respect for Yekel’s family. County officials announced that temporary judicial arrangements will be implemented to manage the court’s caseload during the transition period.
