Sudden Death of Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber Casts Shadow Over High-Stakes Cases
Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead over the weekend at age 43, leaving behind a career defined by secrecy, high-stakes prosecutions, and cases few ever confront directly. While authorities caution against speculation, the timing and scope of her work ensure that questions will linger.
Authorities in Alexandria reported that Aber was discovered unresponsive in her home shortly before 9:20 a.m. Saturday. A family friend told NBC News investigators believe her death was linked to a longstanding medical condition, and two former senior Justice Department officials said there is no indication of foul play at this stage.
The medical examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.
A Career in National Security and Cybercrime
Aber’s career was marked by a series of high-profile and sensitive cases:
CIA leaks: Aber secured a conviction against former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, who pleaded guilty to leaking classified intelligence detailing Israel’s planned military operations against Iran. The leaked documents, shared via Telegram, forced Israeli officials to delay a strike on Tehran. Aber described Rahman’s actions as a profound breach of trust, endangering lives and U.S. foreign relations.
International fraud and sanctions evasion: Aber prosecuted Virginia-based Eleview International Inc., whose executives allegedly smuggled over $6 million in telecommunications equipment to Russia through Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan to bypass U.S. sanctions.
Cybercrime and money laundering: She secured indictments against Russian nationals Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov, accused of running one of the largest online money-laundering networks ever identified, supporting ransomware groups and cybercriminal marketplaces.
War crimes prosecution: Aber’s office charged four Russian soldiers with war crimes against an American citizen abducted in Ukraine, underscoring her commitment to international justice.
Professional Background
A Virginia native, Aber graduated from the University of Richmond in 2003 and earned her law degree from William & Mary in 2006. She joined the Eastern District of Virginia as an assistant U.S. attorney in 2009 and later served as counsel to the assistant attorney general in the DOJ’s Criminal Division from 2015 to 2016. She stepped down as U.S. Attorney in January following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Legacy
Jessica Aber’s death abruptly closes a career spent confronting complex legal challenges that spanned intelligence leaks, cybercrime, international fraud, and war crimes. While investigators work to confirm the circumstances of her passing, her prosecutorial record demonstrates a reach far beyond the courtroom, impacting national security and international justice.
Aber’s work leaves a lasting mark, not just in convictions, but in the integrity and rigor with which she approached some of the most sensitive cases the United States has faced in recent decades.