Former US Attorney Jessica Aber — who handled high profile cases involving the CIA and Russia — had epilepsy, her family revealed days after her tragic death.
Aber, 43, “suffered from epilepsy and epileptic seizures for many years,” her family said in a statement, according to ABC.
The news comes a day after an autopsy revealed that she appeared to have died from natural causes. Virginia police said Tuesday that they “found no evidence suggesting that her death was caused by anything other than natural causes.”
Aber was found dead in her Virginia home Saturday morning after police reported to a 911 call about an unresponsive woman. Her family said she died in her sleep.
“We expect more information from the medical examiner in the coming weeks,” the family added. “Our family is in shock and grieving deeply and we respectfully request privacy as we attempt to navigate through our unspeakable loss.”
People who suffer from epilepsy are at risk of seizures, which can lead to fatal asphyxiation or heart problems, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Fatal epileptic episodes are known as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) — and while rare — are considered a major risk for people who suffer from the disorder.
SUDEP most often occurs when victims are asleep, according to the CDC.
An official cause of death has not yet been released – but investigators confirmed no indication of any foul play has been found.
Aber headed up the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after being appointed by former President Joe Biden.
She oversaw the prosecution of former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, who pleaded guilty to leaking top-secret documents about Israel’s 2024 strike on Iran – a leak which forced the Jewish state to delay its offensive.
Aber also led the prosecution of high profile cases involving Russian money laundering and illegal commerce, along with securing indictments against four Russian soldiers accused of committing war crimes against an American in Ukraine.
She resigned her post after President Trump took office in January.
A Virginia native, Aber graduated from the University of Richmond in 2003 earning her law degree in 2006 from William and Mary Law School.
