Natural causes suspected in death of 43-year-old former US Attorney Jessica Aber: Police
Natural causes suspected in death of 43-year-old former US Attorney Jessica Aber: Police Jessica Aber was reportedly dealing with a "longstanding medical issue," a friend of the family told multiple media outlets. Her body was found in her Virginia home over the weekend.
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Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber found dead in Virginia
Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber was found dead in a home in Alexandria, Virginia. Aber was nominated by Joe Biden to serve in August 2021.
Fox - 5 DC
Days after former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber was found dead at her Virginia home, local authorities are now saying she died from "natural causes."
Alexandria police said on Wednesday that although the investigation into Aber's death is ongoing, at this time, detectives "have found no evidence suggesting that her death was caused by anything other than natural causes."
The 43-year-old was found dead in her home around 9:18 a.m. on Saturday after the police received a call about an unresponsive woman.
Aber served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia until her resignation in January.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia had not examined Aber's body yet, a Virginia Department of Health spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday.
Before her death, Aber was dealing with a "longstanding medical issue," multiple outlets including Fox News and CBS News reported, citing a friend of the family. Police believe the medical issue contributed to her death over the weekend, Fox News and NBC News reported, citing a family friend.
It is unclear what medical issue Aber was reportedly dealing with before her death.
Who was Jessica Aber?
From August 2021 until President Donald Trump's inauguration in January, Aber served as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. She was nominated to the role by former President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
As U.S. attorney, Aber oversaw money laundering charges against two Russian nationals, a guilty plea from Siemens Energy over corporate espionage charges and murder convictions against an MS-13 gang member.
In 2023, the Eastern District of Virginia charged four Russia-affiliated military personnel with war crimes, including unlawful confinement, inhuman treatment and torture of a U.S. national in Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion.
Aber resigned from the U.S. attorney's office on Jan. 20 for undisclosed reasons.
'I've had the privilege of spending my career as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia working alongside talented, hard-working public servants who manage matters affecting citizens here and across the world,' Aber said in January. 'Concluding my service to the District as its U.S. Attorney has been an honor beyond measure."
'We are devastated by this loss'
Many have offered their condolences to Aber, including the current U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik S. Siebert, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
"We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague," Siebert said in a statement. "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 endeavor to live up to that standard."
"The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time," Bondi said in her statement.
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