Jessica Aber, 43, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead in her Alexandria home on Saturday morning. Authorities are investigating the cause of her death, though early reports suggest a longstanding medical condition may have played a role. Officials do not suspect foul play. Aber, a prominent federal prosecutor, was well known for handling high-profile cases involving national security, including leaks from within the CIA and threats involving Russia. Among her most significant accomplishments was securing a guilty plea from ex-CIA analyst Asif Rahman, who leaked classified information about an Israeli military strike on Iran. Aber condemned the leak as a serious risk to U.S. intelligence and national security.

Aber also spearheaded the prosecution of Eleview International Inc. executives for unlawfully exporting sensitive technology to Russia in violation of U.S. sanctions. She charged Russian nationals Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov for operating one of the largest online money laundering networks tied to cybercrime. In addition, she played a vital role in the indictment of four Russian soldiers for alleged war crimes against an American citizen in Ukraine—an unprecedented move by the U.S. Department of Justice. A Virginia native and William & Mary Law School graduate, Aber began her DOJ career as an assistant U.S. attorney in 2009 and was later appointed U.S. Attorney. Her impactful legacy spans international justice, cybercrime prosecution, and protecting national security through decisive legal action.