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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.
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
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Former US Attorney who oversaw Russian war crime, MS-13 prosecutions found dead in VA home
Former US Attorney who oversaw Russian war crime, MS-13 prosecutions found dead in VA home 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 A former U.S. Attorney was found dead at her home in Virginia Saturday morning, according to authorities. Jessica Aber, 43, was found in her home in Alexandria after the Alexandria Police Department responded to a call for an unresponsive woman around 9:18 a.m., according to the department. The department said it is investigating the death "as a matter of protocol" and that the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will provide the cause of death. "Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard," Erik S. Siebert, the current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement. "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 office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Sunday. Who was Jessica Aber? Aber served as a federal prosecutor in 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. During her time as leader, the Eastern District saw money laundering charges against two Russian nationals, a guilty plea from Siemens Energy over corporate espionage charges and murder convictions against a MS-13 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. Prior to her appointment, Aber served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime and child exploitation cases as well as being the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the district. '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 a press release announcing her resignation.
