Former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jessica Aber, was found dead in her Alexandria, Virginia home on Saturday morning, according to the Alexandria Police Department. The police responded to a call about an unresponsive woman at around 9:18 a.m. and found Aber, 43, dead inside.
Aber’s death has sparked an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death, according to the police statement.
Aber had a distinguished career as a lawyer, serving as the U.S. attorney in Virginia for most of the Biden administration. She took office in October 2021 after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate and stepped down in January 2025, shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
As U.S. attorney, Aber oversaw a staff of around 300 prosecutors and other staff, handling federal prosecutions in the state. Her work focused on prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation cases.
Aber received her law degree from William and Mary Law School in 2006 and began her career as a law clerk for then-Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Her colleagues and peers have expressed their sadness and admiration for Aber’s work and character. Current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert described her as “unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor” and “simply irreplaceable as a human being”.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also paid tribute to Aber, highlighting her commitment to public service and her work with Ceasefire Virginia, which “saved more lives than we may ever realize”.
