A state court judge is dead after authorities say he took his own life Tuesday at the Effingham County Courthouse.According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Judge Stephen Yekel died by suicide after shooting himself.Below video: Effingham County sheriff discusses the investigation thus farOfficials believe it happened sometime overnight. He was found Tuesday in the courtroom by a sheriff’s deputy. The ECSO was notified between 10 and 10:30 a.m.The ECSO is investigating. An autopsy will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.Below video: The scene outside the courthouseYekel, who lost his bid for reelection earlier this year, sent a resignation letter to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on December 6. In it, he said he would resign effective December 30, one day before his term was to end.By resigning, it would cause Kemp to appoint a new judge to fill the position, which would nullify the results of the election.Kemp responded on December 12, denying the request.Additional information has not been released. Check back for updates to this developing story.If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.TRENDING STORIESFuneral Plans Announced: Where and when you can pay your respects to former President Jimmy Carter’Significant Damage’: Crews respond to house fire on Tybee IslandPolice investigating suspicious death at Beaufort apartment complex
A state court judge is dead after authorities say he took his own life Tuesday at the Effingham County Courthouse.
According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Judge Stephen Yekel died by suicide after shooting himself.
Below video: Effingham County sheriff discusses the investigation thus far
Officials believe it happened sometime overnight. He was found Tuesday in the courtroom by a sheriff’s deputy. The ECSO was notified between 10 and 10:30 a.m.
The ECSO is investigating. An autopsy will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Below video: The scene outside the courthouse
Yekel, who lost his bid for reelection earlier this year, sent a resignation letter to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on December 6. In it, he said he would resign effective December 30, one day before his term was to end.
By resigning, it would cause Kemp to appoint a new judge to fill the position, which would nullify the results of the election.
Kemp responded on December 12, denying the request.
Additional information has not been released. Check back for updates to this developing story.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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