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USA Today
26-03-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
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. Show Caption Hide Caption 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.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Jessica Aber reportedly had 'longstanding' health issue: What we know about former attorney's death
Jessica Aber reportedly had 'longstanding' health issue: What we know about former attorney's death Show Caption Hide Caption 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 The death of a former U.S. attorney in Virginia over the weekend has left lingering questions, including how she died and if a medical condition was a factor. Police in Alexandria said Jessica Aber, 43, was found dead in her home around 9:18 a.m. Saturday after the department received a call about an unresponsive woman. Aber served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia until her resignation earlier this year. An investigation into Aber's manner of death is underway "as a matter of protocol," according to police. As of Monday morning, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia has not examined Aber, a Virginia Department of Health spokesperson told USA TODAY. Here is what to know about Aber, her death and what she meant to the Justice Department. Aber reportedly had a 'longstanding medical issue' Before Aber's death, she 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, Fox News and NBC News reported, citing a family friend. It is unclear what medical issue Aber reportedly had before her death. The Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will eventually determine Aber's cause of death, but the office has not yet examined the body, the office said Monday. 'We are heartbroken beyond words' Erik S. Siebert, the current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, released a statement following Aber's death, saying, "We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague." "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." U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also released a statement concerning Aber's death: "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.' What did Jessica Aber accomplish as US attorney? Aber served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia from August of 2021 until President Donald Trump's inauguration in January. She was nominated to the position by former President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. As top federal prosecutor, 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 invasion in 2022. Aber resigned from the U.S. attorney's office on Jan. 20, ending her time at the place she began working at in 2006 as a clerk. She would eventually become an assistant U.S. attorney for the district she'd later lead in 2009. '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."
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jessica Aber reportedly had 'longstanding' health issue: What we know about former attorney's death
The death of a former U.S. attorney in Virginia over the weekend has left lingering questions, including how she died and if a medical condition was a factor. Police in Alexandria said Jessica Aber, 43, was found dead in her home around 9:18 a.m. Saturday after the department received a call about an unresponsive woman. Aber served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia until her resignation earlier this year. An investigation into Aber's manner of death is underway "as a matter of protocol," according to police. As of Monday morning, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia has not examined Aber, a Virginia Department of Health spokesperson told USA TODAY. Here is what to know about Aber, her death and what she meant to the Justice Department. Before Aber's death, she 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, Fox News and NBC News reported, citing a family friend. It is unclear what medical issue Aber reportedly had before her death. The Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will eventually determine Aber's cause of death, but the office has not yet examined the body, the office said Monday. Erik S. Siebert, the current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, released a statement following Aber's death, saying, "We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague." "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." U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also released a statement concerning Aber's death: "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.' Aber served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia from August of 2021 until President Donald Trump's inauguration in January. She was nominated to the position by former President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. As top federal prosecutor, 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 invasion in 2022. Aber resigned from the U.S. attorney's office on Jan. 20, ending her time at the place she began working at in 2006 as a clerk. She would eventually become an assistant U.S. attorney for the district she'd later lead in 2009. '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." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jessica Aber's death reportedly came after health issues: What we know
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber found dead
March 23 (UPI) -- Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead Saturday morning at her home in Alexandria. Alexandria Police said in a statement that officers responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at 9:18 a.m. Saturday and found the woman dead at the home, identifying her as Aber. "As a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death," police said. "The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will determine the cause and manner of death." The former federal prosecutor, more so than federal prosecutors in many other jurisdictions across the country, had an outsized role in the U.S. Justice Department because of the importance of Virginia's eastern district. The Eastern District of Virginia encompasses key national security and intelligence hubs just outside Washington, D.C., including the Pentagon and CIA headquarters in Langley. It is known as the "Rocket Docket," a moniker celebrating its reputation for moving cases swiftly and efficiently through the court system. As a result, the district has become a strategic venue for when the government needs to fast-track cases involving national security or classified information, particularly regarding matters of espionage or terrorism. Aber, 43, was nominated to the role by President Joe Biden on Aug. 10, 2021, and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 5, 2021. She served in the position until her resignation on Jan. 20 upon the second inauguration of President Donald Trump. Among the many court wins during her tenure, Aber's team scored a victory when Asif Rahman, a 34-year-old former CIA analyst, pleaded guilty to leaking top secret documents detailing Israel's plans for a strike on Iran last year. "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 her statement announcing her resignation. "Concluding my service to the District as its U.S. Attorney has been an honor beyond measure." Her death was mourned by her successor, Erik S. Siebert, who called her "unmatched" as a leader and prosecutor, praising Aber for her "professionalism, grace, and legal acumen." "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," he said. "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. Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career." Though Aber served the Justice Department under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, his replacement, Pam Bondi, also mourned her loss. "The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic," Bondi said in a statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time."
The Independent
23-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Who was Jessica Aber? Ex-US attorney investigated Russians, Israelis, financial fraudsters and violent criminals
Jessica Aber, a career federal prosecutor, was found dead at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday morning – but the circumstances of her death remain unclear. Aber, 43, rose to prominence as a top U.S. attorney in Virginia, overseeing important legal cases for the Justice Department, including those securing convictions for an MS-13 gang leader, the former governor of Virginia and more. She also helped in investigations against Russians accused of conspiracy and fraud. Aber also oversaw the prosecution of man who helped Israeli citizens enter the U.S. without proper visas. She was appointed to oversee the Virginia district by then-president Joe Biden. Aber resigned from her position as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia as President Donald Trump took office. Two months later, police were called to Aber's home shortly after 9 a.m. where authorities found her deceased. Her death is under investigation and will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, the Alexandria Police Department said. Here's are details about Aber's life and some of the top cases she oversaw: What cases did Jessica Aber work on? Having spent much of her career working in an area of the U.S. home to some of the most important federal agencies, Aber handled cases prosecuting violent crimes, child exploitation cases, financial fraud, cyber crimes and more. Many of Aber's cases involved foreign entities, whether it be individuals, companies or organizations. In October, Aber and her staff secured a criminal conviction against a former MS-13 gang member for his role in the gang's criminal enterprise that resulted in the killing of six people. At the time of the conviction, Aber said the gang's 'deadly activities' including flooding the streets with narcotics and committing brutal murders 'will not go unchecked' and promised to give her 'full attention and resources' to address the crimes. In coordination with the Department of State and Treasury, Aber and her office brought an indictment against a Russian national for his alleged involvement in multiple money laundering schemes. Last year, Aber helped secure a guilty plea in a corporate espionage case involving Siemens Energy Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the German conglomerate Siemens Energy AG.
