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The family of former U.S. attorney Jessica Aber has indicated that she likely passed away due to natural causes, following her discovery deceased in her Virginia residence over the weekend.
In a public statement, the family revealed that the 43-year-old attorney “passed away in her sleep,” with a likely cause being an epileptic seizure that she had endured for years.
“We are overwhelmingly saddened by the unexpected loss of our beloved Jessica (Jess) Aber, who passed away in her sleep on Saturday, March 22,” the family’s statement noted. “Jess dealt with epilepsy and seizures for an extended period, and the Alexandria (Virginia) Police stated on Tuesday, March 25, that they believe her death resulted from natural causes.”
Alexandria police, who found Aber around 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, reported earlier that her death appeared to stem from “natural causes.”
According to police, there was “no indication that her death could be attributed to anything other than natural causes.” They added, “the investigation is ongoing, and the case will stay open until the final determination of the cause and manner of death by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.”
The family expressed hope for more information to be released in the coming weeks, requesting privacy during this challenging time as they mourn.
Jessica Aber, who served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was actively involved in high-profile legal matters including cases that led to the convictions of an MS-13 gang leader and a former governor of Virginia.
Aber’s career began in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009, where she started as an assistant U.S. attorney before becoming a counsel to the assistant attorney general for criminal division in 2015. The following year, she was appointed deputy chief of the criminal division for the district court.
In 2021, Aber made history as the third woman to lead the Eastern District of Virginia after being nominated by President Biden.
Colleagues have described Aber as an irreplaceable leader dedicated to the pursuit of justice. Several have shared their sentiments with the Washington Post, emphasizing her attention to detail and her presence in the courtroom during significant trials.
She resigned from her role as U.S. attorney when President Donald Trump assumed office.
U.S. Attorney Erik Seibert, who currently oversees the Eastern District of Virginia, expressed his profound sorrow upon hearing of Aber’s passing, stating that she was “an extraordinary leader, mentor, and prosecutor” whose loss is deeply felt.
“Her contributions and character were unmatched, and her short time with us was marked by remarkable accomplishments. She set a high bar with her professionalism and legal expertise,” Seibert remarked.
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