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Police are investigating after a Georgia state judge was found dead in a courtroom on Tuesday.

The 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, with a self-inflicted gunshot, the sheriff’s office said.

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His death is being investigated by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will perform the autopsy.

Authorities said Yekel died sometime late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

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Yekel, who was appointed to the bench two years ago by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, 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 self-inflicted gunshot wounds, at the Effingham County Courthouse in Springfield, Georgia. (Google Maps)

In a statement, the Effingham County Board of Commissioners said that 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 death of Judge Steve Yekel at the Effingham County Courthouse today, and we offer our condolences to his family and loved ones,” they said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Effingham County Board of Commissioners for comment.

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Duncan Powell and Javian McCollum each set a season-high with 21 points and they combined for five of Georgia Tech’s eight 3-pointers in an 86-75 victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday.

Georgia Tech shot 61% from the field in the first half to build a 43-24 lead as Notre Dame was just 9 of 32 (28%). The Fighting Irish’s 24 first-half points are tied for the fewest allowed by Georgia Tech in an opening period this season.

Notre Dame had runs of 11-0 and 11-3 in the second half and got as close as 69-66 with 5:53 remaining. But the Irish would not get closer.

Georgia Tech won for just the third time in the last 13 meetings with Notre Dame — a stretch that included losing all three matchups last season.

Lance Terry added 14 points, Naithan George had 11 and Baye Ndongo scored 10 for Georgia Tech (7-7, 1-2 ACC). The Yellow Jackets had a 44-15 advantage in bench points.

Tae Davis led Notre Dame (7-6, 1-1) with 27 points and seven rebounds. Matt Allocco had 15 points and seven assists and Braeden Shrewsberry scored 12 on four 3-pointers.

Notre Dame’s only lead was at 12-11 early in the first half.

Georgia Tech closes a five-game homestand on Saturday against Boston College. Notre Dame hosts North Carolina on Saturday.

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ATLANTA – Celebration of Life and internment plans have been announced for former Georgia State Senator Vincent D. Fort, who died Sunday at the age of 68.

Fort was first elected to the State Senate from the 39th District in 1996 and was reelected 10 times. He represented parts of Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Union City, and unincorporated Fulton County.

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During his tenure, Fort served as the Democratic Whip in the Senate and was a member of the Appropriations, Judiciary-Civil, Judiciary-Criminal, Education and Youth, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Interstate Cooperation, Urban Affairs, and MARTA Oversight Committees. He also chaired the Retirement Committee, Interstate Cooperation Committee, and the Fulton County Senate Delegation.

Fort authored Georgia’s first hate crimes law in 2001, designed to provide enhanced penalties for defendants who intentionally selected their victims due to bias or prejudice. That same year, he authored a predatory lending law, which became the foundation for the strongest legislation of its kind, passed in 2002. Fort gained national recognition as a leader in the fight against predatory lending and foreclosures. He also authored a law that increased disabled access to housing.

Additionally, Fort secured $40 million in funding for buildings at Atlanta Technical College and Atlanta Metropolitan College.

In 2017, Fort ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Keisha Lance Bottoms. In 2022, he ran for Georgia’s 13th congressional district. 

Details:

• Lying in State: Jan. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Atlanta City Hall, old council chambers, 68 Mitchell Street.
• Family Hour and Masonic Last Rites: Jan. 3, 6 p.m., at Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, West End Chapel.
• Celebration of Life: Jan. 4, 1 p.m., at Lindsay Street Baptist Church, 550 Lindsay Street NW, Atlanta.
• Interment: South-View Cemetery, Jonesboro Road.

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers. Contributions may be made to: