Jessica Aber’s cause of death revealed.
Jessica Aber, former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, has an official cause of death revealed, months after her abrupt resignation under Trump.
Aber’s legal career highlighted.
A William & Mary Law School graduate, Aber joined the Justice Department in 2009 as an assistant U.S. attorney.
Over the years, she prosecuted cases in financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation, eventually becoming deputy chief of the criminal division.
In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated her to lead the office, earning unanimous Senate confirmation.
She formally resigned on Jan. 20, 2025, coinciding with Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration.
In her final X post, Aber reflected on her tenure, praising colleagues as “dedicated, extraordinary public servants.”
Her departure leaves a void, but peers say her leadership example continues to inspire Virginia prosecutors.
Jessica’s strengths clarified.
Born and raised in Virginia, Aber excelled academically, later earning a law degree while actively participating in student advocacy and local volunteer initiatives.
Aber quickly distinguished herself as a meticulous attorney with a reputation for taking on high-profile cases.
She gained national attention prosecuting major financial fraud rings and public corruption scandals, solidifying her status as a formidable legal mind.
Despite her professional success, Aber quietly managed her condition, balancing it with intense courtroom pressures.
Friends recall Aber mentoring younger attorneys on resilience and advocating for better workplace health accommodations.
Her work extended beyond the courtroom; she championed programs protecting children and reforming justice system practices.
Jessica’s death and public response exposed.
In a heartfelt statement, Aber’s family described the devastating impact of her sudden passing.
“It is with tremendous sorrow that we acknowledge the sudden passing of our beloved Jessica (Jess) Aber,” they wrote via PEOPLE.
The statement noted she had lived with a condition for many years, requesting privacy as they mourned their “unspeakable loss.”
Tributes poured in from colleagues across the Department of Justice following the news of Aber’s death.
Erik Siebert, who succeeded Aber as U.S. attorney, called the office “heartbroken beyond words.”
Siebert praised her as “unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor,” emphasizing her enduring influence on legal staff.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called Aber’s death “deeply tragic,” sending condolences to her family and friends.
Official cause of death confirmed.
Aber was found unresponsive at her Alexandria, Virginia, residence on March 22, sparking immediate concern among colleagues and family.
Police confirmed she was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving the community in stunned silence.
Days later, detectives reported no evidence of foul play, suggesting natural causes were likely behind her sudden passing.
The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Aber, 43, died from “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” (SUDEP).
Jennifer Starkey, medicolegal administrator for the office’s northern district, confirmed the manner of death as “natural.”
Officials declined to release the full autopsy report due to medical privacy protections under Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, epilepsy is a neurological disorder that disrupts brain activity, often causing seizures.
SUDEP, while uncommon, occurs when people with epilepsy die unexpectedly without a clear structural or toxicological cause.
Legal world mourns a trailblazer.
The revelation of her SUDEP diagnosis has stunned peers, emphasizing how unpredictable and silent the condition can be.
Medical experts note SUDEP’s rarity but warn about its potentially fatal consequences for those with epilepsy.
Colleagues continue to honor Aber’s contributions, remembering her sharp legal mind and unwavering commitment to justice.
Aber’s death, officially ruled as natural due to SUDEP, closes a chapter on a remarkable career while raising awareness of epilepsy’s hidden dangers.