Jessica Aber, the former United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), has been discovered deceased at 43 years old.
On the morning of March 22, at approximately 9:18 am, the Alexandria Police responded to a call reporting an ‘unresponsive woman’ found on the 900 block of Beverley Drive.
Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire from the Alexandria Police Department issued a statement on X.
The statement reads: “Officers located a deceased woman. Following notification of family members, the Alexandria Police Department can confirm the identity of the woman as Ms Jessica Aber, age 43, former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.”
The statement also mentions that an investigation is ongoing ‘surrounding the circumstances of her death’ and that ‘the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will determine the cause and manner of death’.
Aber served as the US Attorney for the EDVA from 2021 until 2025, having been appointed by former President Joe Biden.
However, Aber stepped down from her significant position shortly before Donald Trump took office as the 47th president of the United States earlier this year.
In her role, Aber led a team comprising ‘approximately 300 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel across four Divisions located in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News,’ serving ‘over six million residents’ across the district, as stated on the US Department of Justice’s website.
Erik S. Siebert, the current US Attorney for EDVA, has also commented on Aber’s death.
In his statement, Siebert expressed the deep sorrow felt by the EDVA, saying they are ‘heartbroken beyond words’.
He praised Aber as an ‘unmatched’ leader, mentor, and prosecutor, noting that she is ‘simply irreplaceable as a human being’.
“We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world,” Siebert stated. “Her professionalism, grace and legal acumen set the standard.”
Despite feeling ‘devastated’ by the ‘loss,’ Siebert stated that the EDVA will ‘look to [Aber’s] example and endeavor to live up to her standard’.
The statement concluded by saying: “We remain committed to her life’s work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Aber, whose career of public service included US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realize.
“Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family this week.”
For those who have experienced a bereavement and need someone to talk to confidentially, contact GrieveWell at (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].