A tragic incident unfolded in Georgia over the holiday period, as a respected judge took his own life within the confines of his courtroom.
The late Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was discovered dead in an Effingham County courtroom, marking a somber end to his distinguished legal career.
According to Gateway Pundit, the Effingham County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Yekel had committed suicide. The discovery was made by a deputy around 10 am, although it is believed the act occurred late on Monday night or early Tuesday. Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who confirmed the unfortunate incident, did not disclose further details.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Tuesday was slated to be Yekel's last day on the bench, following his unsuccessful re-election bid earlier in the year. Yekel, who had served as a lawyer for over 45 years, was appointed to the bench by Governor Brian Kemp in June 2022. His legal career included stints as a special agent for Georgia's Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and as an investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney's Office.
In an intriguing twist, it was revealed that a note had been dispatched to Governor Kemp's office. The content of this note, however, remains undisclosed to the public. Prior to his death, Yekel had attempted to resign from his position, but his resignation was not accepted by Kemp.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Yekel's life had been fraught with challenges following his re-election loss. These included the death of his best friend and a wrongful termination lawsuit. Financial difficulties also plagued Yekel and his ex-wife Lisa, stemming from a failed daycare business venture. "He did everything he could to avoid bankruptcy," Lisa Yekel stated. "Unfortunately, I had used his life savings to keep the daycare open."
Judge Yekel is survived by his ex-wife and their four children: Sean, Ashleigh, Blake, and Brett. Following the tragic incident, the Effingham County courtroom has been temporarily closed and is set to reopen on January 2.
The investigation into Judge Yekel's death is being spearheaded by the Effingham County Sheriffs Office, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) set to conduct an autopsy. As the community grapples with this tragic loss, it is a stark reminder of the personal struggles that can often be masked by professional accomplishments.
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