Tributes have been pouring in for the late US attorney, who many described as ‘simply irreplaceable’ following her untimely death.
On March 22, Alexandria Police responded to a call about an ‘unresponsive woman’ on the 900 block of Beverley Drive around 9:18 AM.
Alexandria Police Department’s Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire announced on Twitter the passing of 43-year-old Jessica Aber, who had served as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA).
An investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the cause and manner of her death.
Aber took on the role of US attorney for the EDVA from 2021 to 2025 after being nominated by then-President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate without opposition.
She stepped down from her prominent position just before Donald Trump began his second term as President in January of this year.
Her former colleagues are now honoring the dedicated attorney with heartfelt tributes.
Erik Siebert, who succeeded her as the current US attorney for the EDVA, released a statement expressing: “We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber.
“She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and 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. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard.”
“Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavour to live up to the standard,” the statement continued.
“Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career. She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back.
“We remain committed to her life’s work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also took to Twitter, expressing his sadness at the news and commending her efforts with Ceasefire Virginia, a 2022 initiative aiming to reduce violent crime, for having ‘saved more lives than we may ever realize’.
Before joining the EDVA in 2009, Aber practiced law privately in several capacities, according to the US Department of Justice’s website. Since 2016, she had been both an assistant US attorney and deputy chief of the department’s criminal division.
As US attorney for EDVA, Aber led ‘approximately 300 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel across four Divisions located in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News’ and served over six million residents in the district.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and completed her law education at the William & Mary Law School in 2006.