Former federal attorney Jessica Aber found dead at age 43

Police in Virginia found the body of former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber at her home on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the Alexandria Police Department. Authorities responded to a call for an unresponsive woman who was later identified as the 43-year-old former public servant, according to the statement. Aber served as a federal prosecutor from her 2021 appointment by former President Joe Biden until she stepped down in late January 2025.

Did her resignation have anything to do with her death? Aber’s resignation date coincided with President Donald Trump’s inauguration. During her time in office, Aber successfully prosecuted multiple MS-13 gang members on crimes including racketeering, conspiracy, and murder. She also accused two Virginia executives and several U.S. dual citizens of illegally exporting technology and weapons to Russia.

Current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert described Aber as an irreplaceable mentor and prosecutor in a Saturday statement. The legal community is still astonished by how much she achieved during her time on earth that was unfairly cut short, he said. Attorney General Pam Bondi also released a statement on Saturday mourning Aber.

What do we know about her death? Aber’s cause of death will be determined by the state’s chief medical examiner, Alexandria police said. A spokesman from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner told WORLD that Aber’s examination had not been performed but an update would be shared once the examination is completed.