EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – A Georgia judge was found dead inside a courtroom on New Year’s Eve, according to officials.
WTOC reports State Court Judge Steve Yekel died by suicide at the Effingham County courthouse.
According to Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, Yekel passed away Monday night and was found between 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning by a deputy.
Sheriff McDuffie says Yekel appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though an autopsy will be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to confirm.
The sheriff’s office will be in charge of the investigation.
Yekel had over four decades of experience and served two years as the state court judge. He recently lost re-election and Tuesday would have been his last day, though he was not scheduled in court.
Sheriff McDuffie said this type of loss is unimaginable.
“This is never good for anybody. The family is distraught. It’s 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 and we’ll make ourselves available to them,” said McDuffie.
WTOC obtained a letter from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office in which Yekel wrote to the Governor, attempting to resign from his position. In the letter, Yekel said he would be resigning effective on Dec. 30.
A letter Governor Kemp wrote in response shows that he did not accept Yekel’s resignation “out of respect for the will of the people of Effingham County.”
WTOC reached out to Governor Kemp’s Office and was given the following statement:
“While we are unable to provide comment on an open investigation, Judge Yekel’s family and loved ones are in all of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The Effingham County Clerk of Court confirms Chief Judge F. Gates Peed has issued an order closing the courthouse. The courthouse will resume normal business on January 2.
All county buildings closed on Tuesday at noon.
In a press release, the Effingham County Board of Commissioners shared that there will be a crisis response team at the Effingham County Administrative Complex beginning at 3 p.m. Monday for counseling purposes.
The crisis response team will also be accessible on New Years Day and Jan. 2.
Who can help:
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- A free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources.
- The Veteran Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
- The Veteran Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line connects veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat or text.
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- This free text-message service provides 24/7 support to those in crisis. Text 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor right away.
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