ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Jessica Aber, the former US Attorney for Eastern Virginia, died overnight at her house in Alexandria, according to local police on Saturday. She was 43.
Aber had only left office in January, as former President Joe Biden left office. Aber was appointed as U.S. Attorney in October 2021 by former President Biden.
Aber’s successor, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert released a statement about her death on Saturday, where he called the former U.S. attorney a mentor.
“We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague,” U.S. Attorney Siebert said. “… We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi also offered her condolences Saturday night.
“The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic,” Attorney General Bondi said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time.”
Alexandria Police were called to Aber’s house at around 9 a.m. on Saturday, after family members reported that she was unresponsive. As of Saturday afternoon, APD was waiting for Virginia’s chief medical examiner to determine a cause of death.
“As a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death,” the Alexandria Police Department said on Saturday
A graduate of the College of William and Mary’s law school in Williamsburg, Aber worked as an assistant U.S. attorney, starting in 2009, before becoming the US Attorney.
On Sunday, Russ Hott Field Office Director at ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. issued a statement on Aber’s death.
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber. She was a dedicated public servant and a staunch ally in our constant efforts to ensure the safety of our Virginia communities. ICE Washington, D.C. extends our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to U.S. Attorney Aber’s family as they mourn this profound loss.”