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.

WTOC has obtained a letter from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office in which Yekel wrote to the Governor, attempting to resign from his position. In the letter, Yekel said he would be resigning effective on December 30.

A letter Governor Kemp wrote in response shows that he did not accept Yekel’s resignation “out of respect for the will of the people of Effingham County.”

WTOC reached out to Governor Kemp’s Office and was given the following statement:

When asked if Yekel left a suicide note- Sheriff McDuffie referenced Yekel’s letter.

“We understand that there was a note sent to the governor. We’re not sure yet what that is, but there’s no note as of right now,” said Sheriff McDuffie.

The Effingham County Clerk of Court confirms Chief Judge F. Gates Peed has issued an order closing the courthouse. The courthouse will resume normal business on January 2.

All county buildings closed Tuesday at noon.

In a press release the Effingham County Board of Commissioners shared that there will be a crisis response team at the Effingham County Administrative Complex beginning at 3 p.m. Monday for counseling purposes.

The crisis response team will also be accessible on New Years Day and January 2nd.

Warning signs of suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings

What to do:

• Do not leave the person alone
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
• Call, text or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
• Take the person to an emergency room, or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Who can help:

• The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
  • A free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources.
• The Veteran Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
  • The Veteran Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line connects veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat or text.
• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
  • This free text-message service provides 24/7 support to those in crisis. Text 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor right away.

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