Effingham Co. Courthouse closed after State Court Judge dies by suicide

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – Three sources from the legal community, including courthouse staff, confirm State Court Judge Steve Yekel has died by suicide at the courthouse.

According to Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, Yekel passed away Monday night and was found between 10 and 10:30 Tuesday morning by a deputy. 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.

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. READ MORE