Jessica Aber, who prosecuted cases involving espionage and international crime during her time as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, has died at age 43. Her body was discovered inside a home in Alexandria on Saturday morning, prompting a police response and ongoing investigation.
Authorities say they were called around 9:18 a.m. after a report of an unresponsive woman. They have not publicly stated who made the call or whether Aber lived at the address. A final ruling on the cause of death will come from the state’s medical examiner.
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 family friend told reporters that Aber had a chronic health condition, and officials suspect it may have contributed to her death. However, no official statement has been made by the medical examiner.
Aber left her role as U.S. Attorney earlier this year. Her resignation took effect January 20, coinciding with the start of President Trump’s second term. She had been nominated by President Biden and served as Virginia’s top federal prosecutor from 2021 to 2025.
During her time in office, Aber led several headline-making cases. Her team secured a guilty plea from a former CIA employee who leaked top-secret documents about Israeli military operations. She also pursued a case involving the illegal shipment of over $6 million in restricted telecommunications equipment to Russia.
Another major case resulted in the indictment of two Russian nationals connected to a global money laundering network. According to U.S. authorities, the scheme supported cybercriminals involved in major data breaches across the country.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a public statement offering condolences to Aber’s friends and family. Her successor in Virginia’s Eastern District, Erik Siebert, said her leadership would continue to influence the office moving forward. State Attorney General Jason Miyares also recognized Aber’s efforts in reducing gun violence through the Ceasefire Virginia initiative.
Aber began her DOJ career as an assistant U.S. attorney in 2009 and had served in Washington, D.C. as counsel within the Criminal Division before her appointment as U.S. Attorney.
