Law enforcement officials have finally revealed the cause of death for Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who passed away suddenly in March at just 43 years old.
The Alexandria, Virginia medical examiner confirmed Aber died of “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.” Authorities emphasized there was no evidence her passing was caused by anything other than natural causes.
Aber had resigned her post on January 20, the same day President Trump took office again. In her farewell letter, she called her service “an honor beyond measure,” expressing gratitude to Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and President Biden for the opportunity.
Her High-Profile Cases
Before stepping down, Aber oversaw some of the Justice Department’s most sensitive prosecutions:
- CIA Leak Case: She secured the guilty plea of former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, who leaked Israel’s planned military strike on Iran.
- Russian Tech Smuggling: Prosecuted Eleview International Inc. executives accused of secretly transshipping U.S. technology to Russia.
- Cybercrime & Money Laundering: Led indictments against Russian nationals Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov, linked to massive ransomware and data breach operations.
- War Crimes in Ukraine: Oversaw charges against four Russian soldiers accused of torturing an American citizen.
Aber described Rahman’s leaks as a betrayal that “placed lives at risk” and said her office was “proud to be at the forefront” of war crimes accountability in Ukraine.
The Tragic End
On the morning of March 2, Alexandria police found Aber unresponsive at her home. Despite attempts, she could not be revived. Her death shocked colleagues, many of whom praised her as a dedicated public servant who left an indelible mark on national security prosecutions.
While her passing was confirmed as natural, the timing—just weeks after some of the most high-profile indictments—has drawn widespread public attention.
Our thoughts remain with her family and loved ones as the nation reflects on the legacy of one of its most determined federal prosecutors.