Mysterious Death of Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber at 43 Sparks Questions and Controversy
Jessica Aber, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead in her Alexandria home on March 22, 2025, just two months after resigning on the day Donald Trump took office.
Her death at age 43, following a career prosecuting high-profile cases like Israeli visa fraud and Russian-linked crimes, has raised public speculation, despite early reports pointing to a longstanding health issue.
On the morning of March 22, 2025, the quiet suburb of Alexandria, Virginia, was shaken by the unexpected death of Jessica Aber, a 43-year-old former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Aber, who had resigned from her post just two months prior on January 20—the same day Donald Trump was inaugurated as President—left behind a legacy of tackling some of the most complex and politically charged cases in recent memory. Her sudden passing has ignited a firestorm of questions, with many wondering if her death is tied to the powerful enemies she made during her tenure.
Aber’s career was marked by a relentless pursuit of justice. Appointed by President Biden in 2021, she quickly rose to prominence as a prosecutor unafraid to take on high-stakes cases. One of her most notable achievements was the extradition and prosecution of Shai Cohen, an Israeli national who pleaded guilty in 2023 to orchestrating a visa fraud scheme. Cohen and his co-conspirators had facilitated the illegal entry of Israeli citizens into the United States by securing fraudulent B-1/B-2 tourist visas, misrepresenting their intent to work at kiosks in Virginia and Maryland malls. Aber’s office worked tirelessly to bring Cohen to justice, coordinating with the government of Israel to secure his extradition and ultimately securing his guilty plea. The case was a significant victory for Aber, highlighting her commitment to combating immigration fraud and money laundering.
But Aber’s work didn’t stop there. During her tenure, she also oversaw investigations into Russian-linked financial crimes, including a 2024 case involving a Virginia-based company accused of funneling sensitive U.S. technology to a Kremlin-tied telecom firm. She prosecuted four Russian-linked individuals for war crimes in Ukraine and played a key role in the conviction of Asif Rahman, a former CIA analyst who leaked classified information about Israeli military plans against Iran in October 2024. Aber’s statement at Rahman’s sentencing was stark: his actions had “placed lives at risk” and jeopardized national security. Her caseload was a who’s-who of international bad actors—oligarchs, cybercriminals, and foreign operatives—each with the resources and motive to retaliate.
Aber’s resignation on January 20, 2025, came as a surprise to many. It coincided with Donald Trump’s return to the White House, a transition that brought significant upheaval to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The timing was not lost on observers, especially given the broader context of DOJ resignations during this period. Sean Murphy, a veteran prosecutor who also resigned in March 2025, publicly criticized the Trump administration for eroding the Justice Department’s independence. In a resignation letter, Murphy warned of the dangers of a DOJ that bends to political pressure, stating, “It just was not a Department of Justice that I any longer wanted to associate with.” Aber’s departure, while less vocal, followed a similar pattern. Some speculate that her aggressive pursuit of cases involving Russian networks and CIA leaks may have made her a target in the new political climate, where loyalty to the administration often trumped prosecutorial independence.
The circumstances of Aber’s death have only fueled further speculation. Police were called to her home on Beverly Drive in Alexandria at around 9:18 a.m. on March 22 after a report of an unresponsive woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and an investigation into the cause of death is ongoing, with Virginia’s chief medical examiner tasked with determining the official cause. Early reports from sources close to the investigation, as well as a family friend speaking to ABC News, suggest that Aber’s death may be linked to a longstanding health issue, with no initial signs of foul play. However, the lack of a definitive cause has left room for rampant public speculation.
Aber’s death comes at a time when the DOJ is under intense scrutiny. The Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling granting near-total immunity to presidents for “core presidential powers” has cast a long shadow over federal law enforcement, with critics like Justice Sonia Sotomayor warning of the potential for unchecked abuses of power. For a prosecutor like Aber, who spent her career taking on powerful interests, this shifting legal landscape may have created new vulnerabilities. Her investigations into Russian cybercriminals, CIA leaks, and international fraud schemes likely made her enemies in high places—enemies who, in the current climate, might face little consequence for retaliatory actions.
While official reports lean toward a natural cause of death, the timing of Aber’s passing—just weeks after her resignation and amid a wave of DOJ shakeups—has led many to question whether there’s more to the story. Her career was defined by her willingness to confront corruption and crime at the highest levels, and her death has left a void in the Eastern District of Virginia. As current U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert said in a statement, “She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being.” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares echoed this sentiment, noting her “career of public service” and her work with Ceasefire Virginia, which he credited with saving countless lives.
For now, the investigation into Jessica Aber’s death continues, and the public awaits answers. Was her passing a tragic result of a health issue, as early reports suggest, or does it hint at something more sinister tied to the powerful forces she challenged? Until the medical examiner releases a final report, the questions surrounding Aber’s death will linger, a haunting reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to seek justice in an increasingly perilous landscape.