Jessica D. Aber, who led the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia until earlier this year, was found dead in her home on Saturday morning. She was 43.
Police said they responded to a call around 9 a.m. reporting an unresponsive woman at a residence in Alexandria. Aber was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is still under investigation. The Virginia medical examiner’s office is handling the case.
Aber served as the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District from 2021 to January of this year. She had a long career with the Justice Department, starting as an assistant U.S. attorney in 2009 and working her way up through the ranks. She was known for her work on organized crime and violent offenses, and later took on leadership roles within the DOJ in Washington before returning to Virginia.
She was a respected voice in the legal world — not just for her courtroom skill, but also for her leadership. Colleagues said she was tough, professional, and deeply committed to public service.
Erik Siebert, now acting U.S. Attorney for the district, said in a statement:
“We are heartbroken. Jessica was more than a prosecutor — she was a mentor, a friend, and a leader. She meant the world to this office.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also issued a tribute, noting Aber’s involvement in the state’s anti-violence initiative, Ceasefire Virginia. He said her efforts helped reduce gun violence and protect lives across the state.
Aber graduated from the University of Richmond and earned her law degree from William & Mary. She spent most of her legal career in Virginia, with a brief stint in private practice before joining federal service.
She stepped down in January 2025. Just two months later, news of her death stunned those who knew her.
At the time of her passing, Aber was living in Alexandria. No further details about the circumstances were immediately released.