In a heartbreaking event, a Georgia state court judge tragically ended his own life in the courtroom after experiencing defeat in his reelection bid. Judge Stephen Yekel, aged 74, was found by a deputy on Tuesday morning inside the Effingham County courtroom, during a time when court proceedings were not taking place.
This was supposed to be his final day as a judge after an unsuccessful reelection campaign this year. Despite his effort to step down from his role, Governor Brian Kemp rejected his resignation.
Yekel dedicated over 45 years to practicing law, building a long-standing career in the field.
In addition to his role as a state court judge, he has also held various positions within the criminal justice system.
For instance, he served as a special agent for Georgia’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Unit and gained valuable experience as an investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
Recognizing his expertise and dedication, the governor appointed him to the state court position on June 22.
According to reports, the late father of four is suspected to have tragically ended his own life on Monday night.
Express US shares that back in May, Yekel’s ex-wife, Lisa, made a statement on Facebook to debunk rumors concerning his re-election campaign, which included allegations about his faithfulness.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will be responsible for conducting an autopsy.
