Former federal prosecutor found dead in Alexandria - WTOP News

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 6: U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Justice on December 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Department of Justice announced today that four Russian military personnel have been indicted for war crimes committed against a U.S. national living in Ukraine, the first of such charges ever to be brought under the U.S. war crimes statute. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)(Getty Images/Samuel Corum)

Jessica Aber, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead Saturday. She was 43.

A statement from Alexandria Police said Aber was confirmed dead after officers responded to the 900 block of Beverly Drive in Alexandria, Virginia, at approximately 9:18 a.m.

Officers were initially called to the scene in response to an unresponsive woman.

A cause of death has not yet been released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia. An investigation is underway.

Area leaders are remembering her work as a public servant.

Erik Siebert, who serves as the current U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, remembered Aber as an “unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor.”

“She is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world,” he said in a statement. “Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career.”

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares praised Aber for her work with Ceasefire Virginia, a statewide initiative implemented in 2022 designed to combat violent crime.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Aber, whose career of public service included U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realize,” Miyares posted on social media.

Aber was nominated to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009, during former President Joe Biden’s term in office. She had been unanimously confirmed to serve in the posting.

During her time in that role, Aber led a staff of 300 prosecutors, civil litigators and support personnel across the state. Aber resigned from the position in January, when President Donald Trump came into office.