A South Georgia judge has died after a suspected suicide at an Effingham County courthouse
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This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Police are investigating after a Georgia state judge was found dead in court on Tuesday.
Effingham County Sheriff's deputies said they found State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, Tuesday morning.
It appears he died of a suicide, a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the sheriff's office said.
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Effingham County Sheriff's deputies say they found State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, 74. (State Court Judge Stephen Yekel via Facebook)
His death is being investigated by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an autopsy.
Authorities say Yekel died Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
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Yekel, who was appointed to the bench two years ago by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, lost his re-election bid earlier this year.
His term was scheduled to end on December 31, 2024.
Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was found dead, with suspected self-inflicted gunshot wounds, at the Effingham County Courthouse in Springfield, Georgia. (Google Maps)
In a statement, the Effingham County Board of Commissioners said they were “deeply saddened” by Yekel's death.
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“The Effingham County Board of Commissioners and staff are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Judge Steve Yekel at the Effingham County Courthouse today, and our condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” they said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Effingham County Board of Commissioners for comment.
