Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found deceased Saturday morning at a home in Alexandria. She was 43. Alexandria police confirmed an active investigation into her death and said a determination on the cause will come from the Virginia medical examiner.
Officers responded to a call at 9:18 a.m. about an unresponsive woman. Aber was found inside the residence, but authorities have not said who made the emergency call or whether the home belonged to her.
The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 23, 2025
A source close to the family told Fox News that Aber had a known medical issue. While that condition may be linked to her passing, no official conclusion has been announced. Police have not ruled out other possibilities as their investigation continues.
Aber led the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Virginia from 2021 until her resignation in January, which took place on the same day President Trump returned to office. She was nominated by President Biden and confirmed without opposition by the Senate. Before her appointment, Aber had served in multiple roles within the Department of Justice since 2009.
Among her final major cases was the prosecution of a former CIA analyst who leaked intelligence about Israel’s planned actions against Iran. Her office also brought criminal charges against executives from a Virginia-based company accused of shipping sensitive telecommunications equipment to Russia in violation of export restrictions.
In another major case, Aber led the indictment of two Russian citizens wanted for allegedly laundering large sums of money for hackers and cybercriminals. That case drew national attention and included coordination with multiple U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement mourning Aber’s death and called it a profound loss for the legal community. Virginia’s top law enforcement official, Jason Miyares, also praised Aber’s work, particularly her involvement with violence reduction initiatives.
Aber previously worked as counsel to the assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Criminal Division and served more than a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney in Virginia.
