Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, died from “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” (SUDEP), according to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Aber, 43, passed away in her sleep more than five months ago, shortly after resigning from her position following President Trump’s return to office. Authorities found no signs of foul play, and her family later confirmed she had long struggled with epilepsy and seizures.
SUDEP is a rare but serious complication of epilepsy, affecting roughly 1 in 1,000 people with the condition. Victims are often found dead in bed, and the cause may be linked to breathing problems or irregular heart rhythms during or after a seizure. The full autopsy report was not released due to privacy laws, but the death was classified as natural.
Appointed by President Biden in 2021, Aber oversaw more than 300 employees across four Virginia offices and was one of 94 U.S. attorneys nationwide. She gained national recognition for prosecuting high-profile cases, including the conviction of former CIA analyst Asif Rahman for leaking classified documents and the indictment of Russian soldiers accused of war crimes against an American citizen in Ukraine.
She also handled major local cases, such as the prosecution of Deja Taylor, whose 6-year-old son shot his teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Aber’s office also pursued charges against companies attempting to illegally ship sensitive technology to Russia.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Aber moved to Virginia for college and law school. She described her appointment as U.S. Attorney as “a lifetime opportunity” and was committed to restoring public trust in the justice system. Her sudden death marks the loss of a respected legal leader and public servant.
