Jessica Diane Aber was an American lawyer who was the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia from 2021 to 2025, appointed by President Joe Biden. She was a member of the Democratic Party.

Biography

Education

Aber received her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School in 2006.

Career

Aber began her legal career as a law clerk for then-Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) from 2006 to 2007.

From 2007 to 2008, she was an associate at McGuireWoods.

In 2009, Aber entered public service as assistant United States attorney in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

From 2015 to 2016, she served on a detail assignment as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice.

From 2016 until 2021, Aber was the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the Eastern District of Virginia.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia

In March 2021, Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner recommended Aber and one other candidate to the White House.

 On August 10, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Aber to be the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

 On September 30, 2021, her nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote.

 On October 5, 2021, her nomination was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote. 

She received her commission on October 7, 2021, and was sworn in on October 12, 2021, by Chief Judge Mark Steven Davis and Judge M. Hannah Lauck. Aber resigned effective January 20, 2025.

Death

Aber was found dead in Alexandria, Virginia, on March 22, 2025, at age 43. No preliminary cause of death has been given.

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Did the mysterious Russian Death Syndrome start in the US? Jessica Aber, the former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), appointed by Biden, was found dead at her home on Saturday, officials said.   The 43-year-old lawyer resigned after Trump took office. Here is a concise summary of the text based on the user's query: Jessica Aber played a key role in investigating Russian crimes linked to the Ukraine conflict. Her office spearheaded significant efforts within the Justice Department to hold war crime perpetrators accountable, notably by indicting a Russian national for war crimes, money laundering, and other illegal activities tied to the conflict. Aber underscored her dedication, stating, "We are proud to be at the forefront of the Justice Department's effort to hold perpetrators of war crimes violations accountable in Ukraine and will continue to pursue them." Her work focused on addressing national security threats and violations of international law, highlighting her critical involvement in federal prosecutions related to Russian actions in Ukraine.