Stephen Yekel, age 74

Lost on December 31, 2024 in Springfield, Georgia.

State Court Judge Stephen Yekel was a graduate of the Atlanta Law School, had been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1976. During his 45-plus-year legal career, he’d worked as a special agent for the Georgia Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and as a special investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office. He was a former assistant district attorney in Chatham County and had held various court positions. Thank you for your judicial service & RIP.

Photo sources:

• Dec 31: New York Daily News: Georgia judge found dead in courtroom of apparent suicide on last day in office

News sources:

• Newsweek: Georgia judge wrote Governor Brian Kemp a note before courtroom suicide
• STATE COURT JUDGE CANDIDATE PROFILE: Steve Yekel
• NBC News: Georgia judge is found dead in courtroom on his final day on the bench
• The Bronx Daily | Bronx.com: Judge Yekel: Factors Behind His Tragic Death | The Bronx Daily | Bronx.com
• https://www.wsav.com/crime-safety/effingham-county-courthouse-deputies-respond/
• Dec 31: https://www.wtoc.com: Effingham Co. Courthouse closed after State Court Judge dies by suicide
• WJCL: Authorities: State court judge dies by suicide at Effingham County Courthouse
• Gun Violence Archive

Other nearby fatal shootings:

• Springfield, GA - July 17, 2019
• Springfield, GA - July 17, 2016
• Springfield, GA - September 26, 2015