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Police are investigating after a Georgia state judge he was pronounced dead in court on Tuesday.
Effingham County Sheriff's deputies said in a release that they found State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, on Tuesday morning.
He appears to have died by suicide, by a shooting yourselfthe sheriff's office said.
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Effingham County Sheriff's deputies said in a release that 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 investigation. do an autopsy.
Authorities said Yekel died sometime Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.
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Yekel, who was elected to the bench two years ago by Georgia Governor Brian Kemphe lost his election bid earlier this year.
His term was scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2024.
Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was found dead, with suspected 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 passing 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.