The legal community is reeling from the sudden death of Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Aber, 43, was found unresponsive at her home on Saturday morning, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities. Appointed by President Biden, Aber stepped down from her position in January as the Trump administration assumed power.
Local law enforcement, specifically the Alexandria Police Department, responded to a distress call reporting an unresponsive woman at Aber’s residence just before 9:20 a.m. on Saturday. The circumstances surrounding Aber’s death are currently being investigated, with the official cause of death pending determination by the Virginia medical examiner’s office.
Aber’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the legal fraternity. Erik Siebert, the current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, expressed his sorrow in a statement released on Saturday afternoon. He lauded Aber’s leadership, mentorship, and prosecutorial prowess, describing her as an irreplaceable asset to the legal community.
Aber’s legal career in the Eastern District of Virginia commenced in 2009 when she served as an assistant U.S. attorney. She later held the position of counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice from 2015 to 2016. In 2021, Aber was nominated by President Biden for the high-profile role of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, a nomination that received unanimous confirmation from the Senate.
The sudden death of Aber and the ongoing investigation have left many in the legal community and beyond in a state of shock and mourning. As the investigation unfolds, many are anxiously awaiting answers about the circumstances surrounding her unexpected demise.