Former US attorney for Eastern Virginia dies at 43

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. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert released a statement on Saturday, where he called Aber 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."  

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.