Featured Image Credit: Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Topics: Politics, US News, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Health
Mia Williams
Topics: Politics, US News, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Health
Former US attorney Jessica Aber was found dead at her home by officials over the weekend.
The 43-year-old former federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found unresponsive at her residence at around 9am on Saturday, 22 March.
Aber had been appointed by Joe Biden in 2021, but swiftly stepped down from her senior position in January when Donald Trump took office in January of this year.
Police have declared that a full investigation into her death is underway, and Virginia's chief medical examiner has been appointed to determine the cause of her death.
Advert
Despite the investigation, speaking to CBS News, a family friend noted that they believe her death was as a result of 'a longstanding medical issue'.
However, in a statement, police added: "As a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death."
Upon stepping down from her position in January, Aber was keen to continue her legal career in the private sector. She began her career in 2009 in the Eastern District of Virginia, where she worked as an assistant US attorney.
Aber worked on cases involving financial fraud, public corruption, and child exploitation cases.
Her successor, Erik Siebert, who is the current US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, released a devastating statement on Saturday.
He said: "We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, US Attorney Jessica Aber. She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and 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."
Virginia Attorney General, Jason Miyares, also praised Aber in a social media post.
He said: "I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Aber, whose career of public service included US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realise."
During her time as the district's top prosector, Aber impressively oversaw around 300 prosecutors, litigators and support staff.
US Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, called Aber an 'exceptional public servant who dedicated her life to serving her fellow Virginians'.
US attorneys are always nominated by the president, and it is extremely common for sitting attorneys to step down from their role when a new president is elected.
Aber graduated from the University of Richmond in Virginia in 2003.