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Police are investigating after a Georgia judge was found dead in his courtroom on Tuesday.
The Effingham County Sheriff said in a news release that they located 74-year-old State Court Judge Stephen Yekel on Tuesday morning.
The Sheriff’s Office said he appeared to have died by suicide.
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Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies said in a news release that they located 74-year-old State Court Judge Stephen Yekel. (State Court Judge Stephen Yekel via Facebook)
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating his death and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an autopsy.
Authorities said Yekel died late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
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Yekel was appointed to the bench by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp two years ago but lost the race earlier this year.
His term is scheduled to end on December 31, 2024.
Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was found dead of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Effingham County Courthouse in Springfield, Georgia. (Google Maps)
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners said in a statement that they were “deeply saddened” by Yecker’s death.
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“The Effingham County Board of Commissioners and staff are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Judge Steve Yekel today at the Effingham County Courthouse, and our condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” they said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Effingham County Commission for comment.
