A former U.S. lawyer for the Eastern District of Virginia died Saturday in Alexandria, authorities said.
In a statement on social media, Alexandria police announced that they had responded to the 900 block of Beverly Drive at about 9:18am on Saturday after police reported an unresponsive woman. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found the deceased woman. They were later identified as 43-year-old Jessica Abal.
“In the matter of protocols, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death. The Virginia Chief Inspector’s office will determine the cause of the death and the way in which it was killed,” police said without providing additional details surrounding her death.
Abber began her career in 2009 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where she charged financial fraud, public corruption, violent crimes and child exploitation cases. From 2015 to 2016, she served as an attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. From 2016 until becoming a US lawyer, Abbah served as deputy director of the criminal division of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. Lawyer’s Office said.
Abber was nominated for Joe Biden on August 10, 2021 and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. January 20th, Donald Trump’s inauguration day – Aber announced her resignation after more than three years of roles.
In a statement, Aber said: “I had the privilege of spending my career as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia.
“I concluded my service to the district as US lawyers, and I am deeply grateful to Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kane, President Biden for giving me the opportunity to lead this office, and Attorney General Garland for his unwavering leadership.
Eric Sieber, a current US lawyer for the Eastern District of Virginia, responded to reports of Aber’s death, saying, “We are heartbroken beyond words to learn that Jessica Abal, a friend and former colleague, has passed away. The World.”
Reflecting similar sentiments, Attorney General Pam Bondy said:
