U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber's Death Had Natural Cause, Family Says

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The family of former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber said she experienced medical issues before her death in Alexandria. Police have indicated that foul play is not suspected in the death.

Aber's family told ABC News that she died while asleep and that she had lived with epilepsy and seizures "for many years." The family maintained that the death was related to natural causes.

Alexandria Police say detectives have found no evidence that the 43-year-old's death is related to anything but natural causes. The investigation remains ongoing, and the medical examiner has not yet made a final ruling on the cause and manner of death.

"We urge the public to respect the privacy of Ms. Aber's family during this time of loss," Alexandria Police said in a statement.

On Saturday morning at 9:18 a.m., Alexandria police officers responded to Beverly Drive after the report of an unresponsive woman. Officers located a deceased woman, police said. Following notification of family members, police confirmed the woman as Aber.

Aber became U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2021 after being nominated by former President Joe Biden. She resigned from her position on Jan. 20, at the time President Donald Trump was inaugurated.

In her previous role, Aber led hundreds of prosecutors and other staff across the Eastern District of Virginia across four divisions in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News. Aber's office oversaw prosecution of cases related to terrorism, gang violence, fraud, classified information and other legal cases involving defense and intelligence agencies, according to the Post.

She started working for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009 after private practice, serving roles like assistant U.S. attorney, counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and deputy chief of the Eastern District of Virginia's Criminal Division.

U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert, who stepped into the interim role after Aber resigned, released a statement regarding Aber's passing.

"She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being," said Seibert. "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."