On Saturday morning, Jessica Aber, the former Eastern District of Virginia U.S. Attorney, was discovered dead in Alexandria. Her age was forty-three.

Officers responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at around 9:20 a.m., according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Authorities found Aber’s body upon arrival. The department affirmed that the official cause and manner of death will be decided by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Police have not yet stated whether they suspect foul play. Nonetheless, an inquiry into the circumstances of her death is presently in progress, as is customary.

Wearing purple for #PurpleThursday from the Richmond USAO. DV victims have EDVA’s support. Help is available: 1-800-799-SAFE.
Together we can break the cycle.#DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/kV09JfDc8W

— U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber (@USAttyAber) October 19, 2023

“ABC News” was informed by sources with knowledge of the investigation that the death seems to have been caused by natural causes. No evidence of foul play has been found thus far. A family friend informed them on Sunday that authorities think the death was caused by a chronic illness.

On August 10, 2021, President Joe Biden named Aber, a reputable federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney. The U.S. Senate subsequently confirmed her, and she held the position until her resignation on January 20.

She began working in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and had established a lengthy career there prior to her appointment. Later on, she became the Criminal Division’s Deputy Chief.

APD Statement regarding Beverley Drive Death Investigation pic.twitter.com/86iNsUzQyO

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 22, 2025

Aber received recognition for her leadership, dedication to public service, and legal knowledge during her time there. As soon as word spread of her death, coworkers and public figures began to pay their respects.

In a statement, Erik S. Siebert, the district’s current U.S. Attorney’s Office chief, expressed profound sadness. He declared, “We are devastated by Jessica Aber’s passing.” As a human being, she is simply irreplaceable, and as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, she was unparalleled. EDVA reciprocated her love for her.

Pamela Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, also expressed her sympathies to Aber’s family and coworkers. She said, “It is extremely tragic that Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, passed away.” “During this extremely trying time, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”

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.

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 23, 2025

U.S. attorneys are appointed by the current president and are political appointees. Former President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social in February that he had “instructed the termination” of all U.S. attorneys from the Biden administration who were still serving.

Aber spent most of her career in the Eastern District of Virginia, so her passing has created a huge vacuum in the legal community.

Her coworkers recall her as a kind and devoted public servant in addition to being an accomplished prosecutor.