Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead at her home in Alexandria on Saturday morning, shocking the legal and intelligence communities she served with distinction for over a decade.
At just 43 years old, Aber had become a respected and sometimes feared federal prosecutor, taking on some of the most high-profile cases in the nation—cases that involved deep intelligence leaks from within the CIA, fraudulent networks tied to Russian operatives, and even war crimes committed by foreign soldiers against American citizens.
Her sudden death has prompted questions, concern, and speculation as investigators await the medical examiner’s final ruling on her cause of death.
According to a report published by the New York Post, Aber had most recently overseen critical prosecutions involving leaks of classified information and multimillion-dollar criminal networks operated by Russian nationals inside the United States.
Law enforcement officials discovered Aber unresponsive in her home shortly before 9:20 a.m. on Saturday. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but she was declared dead shortly after their arrival.
Though Alexandria police have launched an investigation into her death, there is currently no indication of foul play. Two former senior Justice Department officials familiar with the situation told NBC News that early findings suggest Aber may have died due to a longstanding medical condition. A family friend echoed that sentiment, describing Aber’s death as “devastating but likely natural.”
Nevertheless, the timing and nature of her death have drawn intense public scrutiny, in part because of her high-level role in sensitive national security cases—particularly those involving Russian actors and CIA-linked operations.
Aber, who was nominated to her post by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2021, served until January of this year, when she stepped down shortly after President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
During her tenure, Aber led a series of headline-making prosecutions. One of the most notable was the case of Asif Rahman, a former CIA analyst who pleaded guilty to leaking top-secret information about Israel’s planned military action against Iran.
Rahman’s leak, which occurred via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, exposed confidential documents detailing Israel’s planned strike on Iranian facilities.
The revelation reportedly forced the Israeli government to delay its strategic response, prompting concern and embarrassment for both Israeli and American officials.
In court, Aber harshly condemned Rahman’s actions, stating they “placed lives at risk, undermined U.S. foreign relations, and compromised our ability to collect vital intelligence in the future.”
This case alone would have secured her legacy as a force within the Justice Department. But Aber’s work went even deeper, involving a growing list of criminal prosecutions aimed at disrupting Russian influence in the United States.
In late 2023, she spearheaded the indictment and prosecution of executives from Eleview International Inc., a Virginia-based company accused of violating U.S. export controls.
Prosecutors charged company executives Oleg Nayandin and Vitaliy Borisenko with orchestrating a complex scheme to illegally transship sensitive American telecommunications equipment to Russia.
According to the Department of Justice, over $6 million worth of equipment was routed through countries like Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan in an effort to avoid U.S. sanctions placed on Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine.
Just months prior, Aber helped secure indictments against two Russian nationals, Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov, for their alleged involvement in an expansive online money laundering operation.
The Secret Service reported that their network catered to major cybercrime groups, ransomware operators, and hackers responsible for some of the most significant breaches targeting American financial institutions.
Authorities said the two Russians played key roles in enabling criminal activity across the dark web, and a $10 million reward was issued for information leading to their arrest.
“These are not just hackers,” one investigator told the press. “They are financial mercenaries working on behalf of hostile state interests. Jessica Aber was relentless in pursuing them.”
Aber’s fearlessness extended beyond domestic prosecutions. In a groundbreaking move for the Justice Department, she led the unprecedented indictment of four Russian soldiers for war crimes committed against an American citizen in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
According to the DOJ’s account, the unnamed American victim was abducted, beaten, tortured, and subjected to a mock execution during Russia’s occupation of the area.
The indictment named two commanding officers, Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan and Dmitry Budnik, along with two lower-ranking soldiers identified as Valerii and Nazar.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of the Justice Department’s effort to hold perpetrators of war crimes violations accountable in Ukraine,” Aber said at the time. “We will continue to pursue justice for Americans harmed abroad, no matter where the crimes are committed.”
Her tireless pursuit of justice, particularly in cases involving espionage, international conflict, and high-tech fraud, earned her praise from legal professionals, national security officials, and civil rights advocates alike. But it also placed her in the crosshairs of individuals and organizations with deep resources and few ethical constraints.
The announcement of her death has sparked not only grief but also speculation about the potential implications of her investigations. Online, some users raised concerns about the suddenness of her death, pointing to the nature of her caseload and the adversaries she confronted. However, those close to Aber stress that she had a history of health issues and had never reported receiving any threats.
Born and raised in Virginia, Jessica Aber graduated from the University of Richmond in 2003 and went on to earn her law degree from William & Mary Law School in 2006.
She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009 and quickly developed a reputation as a disciplined, methodical, and highly intelligent prosecutor.
Between 2015 and 2016, she served as counsel to the assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Criminal Division, further broadening her experience in national security and white-collar crime.
Aber’s colleagues described her as committed to the truth, emotionally grounded, and deeply ethical. “Jessica was someone who believed in justice without shortcuts,” said one former colleague. “She was brave. The kind of bravery that doesn’t come from ego or ambition, but from conviction.”
Her death leaves a void not just in the Justice Department, but also in the national security community more broadly. Many of the cases she led remain open or under continued investigation, and it remains to be seen who will carry them forward with the same focus and tenacity.
“She wasn’t just a prosecutor—she was a patriot,” said a senior DOJ official who worked alongside her. “Jessica took on cases no one else wanted because they were too messy, too politically sensitive, or too dangerous. And she never blinked.”
As Alexandria authorities await the medical examiner’s report, tributes to Aber continue pouring in from across the country. The Department of Justice issued a formal statement mourning her loss and praising her service.
“Jessica Aber dedicated her life to the service of justice and the protection of national security. Her legacy will live on through the countless cases she pursued and the people she helped protect,” the statement read.
While many questions remain—about the timing of her death, the unfinished investigations, and the potential risks of those who challenge global espionage networks—one thing is certain: Jessica Aber’s life and work left an indelible mark on American justice.
She was not a household name, and she never sought the spotlight. But in quiet courtrooms, behind closed doors, and within the secure walls of the DOJ, Aber stood firm—holding the line where few dared to stand. Her death is a loss for the country. Her legacy, one of courage and integrity, is only beginning to be fully recognized.
