Chilling email sent by Georgia judge shortly before he killed himself in his courtroom

A Georgia judge who took his own life inside his courtroom sent a final chilling email to the state's Governor before he died. 

Stephen Yekel was found dead inside Effingham County Court last week, on what should have been his last day on the bench.

Yekel, 74, had recently lost a bid for re-election and speculation has swirled around whether this has played a role in the tragedy.

Now it has emerged that Yekel sent Governor Brian Kemp a message before he killed himself which read: 'Now they will have to appoint someone'.

The cryptic communication was obtained by The Georgia Virtue journalist Jessica Szilagyi, who said it referenced Yekel's attempt to overthrow the election result.

The judge's legal assistant Charlene Kessler then accused Szilaygi of hacking the court's emails to obtain the message, however Szilaygi insists she obtained the message through legal, investigative means.

A police report filed following Kessler's claims shows that Yekel's email to Kemp was sent at around 2.18am, indicating he was likely still alive at that time on December 31.

Effingham County Sheriff's Office said it is investigating Kessler's claims, but no charges have been filed against Szilyagi.

Yekel had previously sent Governor Kemp a resignation letter in which he lamented the low turnout during his unsuccessful re-election bid.

The judge lost his position following the election in June to Judge Melissa Calhoun who was slated to take over.

In the event Yekel resigned, a new judge would be appointed for a two year term as opposed to the four years given to an elected official.

In his letter, Yekel stated that the position is, 'too important to be decided by only 6% of eligible voters'.

But Kemp rejected the resignation request, asserting that he wished to maintain, 'respect for the will of the people of Effingham County.'

 'While we are unable to provide comment on an open investigation, Judge Yekel’s family and loved ones are in all of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,' Kemp's office previously told WTOC.

Judge Calhoun, who was sworn in December 19, 2024, has filled Judge Yekel's seat and will serve a full four-year term, Effingham County confirmed.

Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said Yekel's body was discovered around 10am on New Year's Eve.

He said he understood Yekel had sent a note to the Governor's office regarding the resignation, but did not disclose its contents. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is also probing the horrific incident. 

Yekel was appointed to the state court in 2022. Prior to that he was a former assistant district attorney in Chatham County and practicing lawyer with more than 45 years of experience. 

The father-of-four also previously held roles as a special agent with the state's Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and the Cobb County District Attorney's Office.

His daughter Ashleigh Yekel said that the family will be holding a visitation at a funeral home in Yekel's hometown of Rincon on Saturday.

'We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support,' Ashleigh said. 'We only ask you to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate the unknown.'

The family is requesting donations to suicide prevention charities in lieu of flowers.

Yekel's half brother Michael Jackson said his sibling's death had come as a 'real shock'.

'I'm really just in shock, I've never seen him shaken before,' Jackson told DailyMail.com. 

 'He was a very stoic man all his life so it seems very out of character. I can't understand the where part of it all, why did he choose to do it there? It seems creepy.

'He was a very talented lawyer and really respected in the community so I just don't understand it. A lot of people will be feeling his loss. 

'As an attorney he was a real man of the people and fought for the underdog.'

Jackson, from Atlanta, said he and Yekel had the same father, but different moms. 

He remembered watching his older brother grow up and go off to college.

'He passed the bar and never looked back,' Jackson added. 'Both our mothers have passed so it is some comfort to be that they will now be reunited.'