An official cause of death has been released for Jessica Aber, the former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who resigned earlier this year.

Aber was found unresponsive at a residence in Alexandria, Virginia, on March 22.

Police said she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Days later, the Alexandria Police Department reported that detectives found no evidence of foul play and believed her death was the result of natural causes.

The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Aber, 43, died from “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” (SUDEP), according to The Virginian-Pilot. Jennifer Starkey, the medicolegal administrator for the office’s northern district, confirmed in an email on Aug. 20 that the manner of death was ruled “natural.”

However, officials declined to release the full autopsy report, citing medical privacy protections under Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act.

Family statement and public tributes

In a statement following her passing, Aber’s family described the shock of losing her so suddenly.

“It is with tremendous sorrow that we acknowledge the sudden passing of our beloved Jessica (Jess) Aber, who died in her sleep on Saturday, March 22,” the family wrote, via PEOPLE.

They added that she had lived with epilepsy and seizures for many years, and requested privacy while mourning their “unspeakable loss.”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, epilepsy is a neurological disorder that disrupts normal brain activity and can cause seizures.

SUDEP, while rare, occurs when people with epilepsy die unexpectedly without a clear structural or toxicological cause.

Tributes poured in from colleagues across the Department of Justice. Erik Siebert, who succeeded Aber as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, called the office “heartbroken beyond words.”

He praised her as “unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor,” adding that her professionalism and legal skill “set the standard” for those who worked with her.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also issued a statement, describing Aber’s death as “deeply tragic” and extending condolences to her family and friends.

Jessica Aber's career and legacy

A graduate of William & Mary Law School, Aber joined the Justice Department in 2009 as an assistant U.S. attorney.

Over the years, she prosecuted cases involving financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation, eventually serving as deputy chief of the criminal division in the Eastern District of Virginia.

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated her to lead the office, and she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

She formally resigned on Jan. 20, 2025, the day President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term.

In her final post on X, Aber reflected on her time in office. “Serving as U.S. Attorney has been an honor,” she wrote, praising her colleagues as “dedicated, extraordinary public servants.”

Her sudden passing leaves a lasting void in the legal community, but those who knew her say her example of leadership and service will continue to guide the work of prosecutors in Virginia and beyond.

Featured image credit: Samuel Corum / Getty Images.

Pope Francis' cause of death has been revealed following his passing at the age of 88.

Just hours before his passing, the pontiff appeared frail but determined as he blessed a crowd of more than 35,000 worshippers from the central lodge of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday. He’d only recently returned home from a 38-day stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he was being treated for bronchitis and double pneumonia.

But by Easter Monday morning, The Vatican had announced that Pope Francis had sadly passed away.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” announced Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, confirming the Pope's death at the Vatican.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” Cardinal Farrell said.

The Vatican said Francis had slipped into a coma following a severe cerebral stroke, which then led to irreversible heart failure, The Sun reports.

His death has plunged 1.4 billion Catholics around the world into mourning.

READ MORE: How the next Pope will be selected following Pope Francis' death

A final Easter moment in the spotlight

Just a day earlier, the Pope had appeared in public to celebrate Easter, greeting thousands from his open-topped popemobile in Vatican City. Though clearly frail, he waved, smiled, and stopped to bless babies brought up to him — despite having recently fought for his life.

“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” he said, his voice full of effort.

While he delegated the Easter Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis emerged afterwards on the loggia balcony and spent over 20 minutes blessing the crowd in Latin.

A military band blared the Holy See anthem as cheers erupted below. Few could have guessed it would be his final public appearance.

A history of illness—and resilience

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had struggled with respiratory issues for most of his life. In his twenties, he had part of his lung removed following a severe infection in Argentina.

In recent years, those issues returned with greater frequency. He cancelled international trips, missed official events, and in February this year, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital for what started as bronchitis but developed into double pneumonia.

The Vatican said his clinical situation was “complex,” and doctors were forced to adjust treatment. Blood transfusions followed. At one point, the prognosis was “reserved,” and the Pope himself is said to have confided, “I might not make it this time.”

Nevertheless, he defied expectations. On April 6, he returned to the public eye in a wheelchair, attending a special jubilee mass for the sick.

He even made time for diplomatic meetings—spending time privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 9, and sharing Easter greetings with US Vice President JD Vance the day before he died.

Tributes flood in from across the globe

The world has since erupted in tributes.

Former US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”

King Charles said he was “deeply saddened,” adding: “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith.”

He added, “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called him “a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols led a requiem mass in London where he told worshippers: “We know a voice has fallen silent, a voice that’s been heard in every corner of the world, a voice of warm encouragement and sharp challenge… This voice is silent, for a more authoritative voice has spoken – that of his heavenly father.”

Cardinal Nichols is one of several British and Irish cardinals expected to travel to Rome for the Pope’s funeral and the conclave to elect his successor.

Leaders of other faiths also paid tribute.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the moment as one of “great sadness,” offering prayers of strength and support for Catholics worldwide. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said the Pope was “witty, lively, good to be with.” Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby added: “He spoke not just to the Catholic Church, but far beyond it.”

Funeral plans underway

The Pope’s body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, where the public will be able to pay their respects. According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Pope Francis had requested a simplified funeral “focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.”

The revised funeral rites—approved by Francis himself just last year—emphasise his role as a “pastor and disciple of Christ,” rather than a powerful figure.

Our thoughts go out to every individual affected by Pope Francis' death.

Featured image credit: Stefano Spaziani/Europa Press via Getty Images

Sean Casten - the US representative for Illinois's 6th congressional district - has released a statement following the untimely death of his 17-year-old daughter.

Per CBS News, teenager Gwen Casten died peacefully in her sleep on June 13.

Earlier that evening, she had enjoyed dinner with her parents before going out with friends.

Now, her father and the rest of the Casten family has taken to social media to release a statement on his daughter's passing and what caused her unexpected death.

"This past June, our daughter, Gwen Casten, died of a sudden cardiac arrhythmia. In layman’s terms, she was fine, and then her heart stopped," the Casten family said in their statement.

"Gwen was a healthy 2022 teenager," the family writes. "She ate well, exercised, got regular check-ups, didn't suffer from any behavioral health issues, and had close relationships with family and friends.

"She was fully vaccinated, and quarantined after occasional positive, asymptomatic COVID tests during the omicron wave. She had just come home from an evening with friends, went to bed and didn't wake up."

The statement continues: "We are heartbroken, but we are not unique. Sudden, unexplained heart-failure among young, healthy people is rare but real. We are left grasping at the wrong end of random chance."

Indeed, per the Daily Mail, the CDC reports that approximately 2,000 young and healthy people under the age of 25 die of sudden cardiac arrest every year in the US.

Additionally, millions of people are affected by cardiac arrhythmia in the US. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation - also known as AFib - which is attributed to around 150,000 deaths in the nation each year.

The family's heartbreaking statement adds: "We are grateful for the outpouring of love we've received over these past months. We've cried again over each of your letters, messages, meals, and flowers, but they are appreciated. We are also grateful for the donations to the Downers Grove North Friends of Fine Arts and March for Our Lives, causes that Gwen was actively engaged in during high school.

"It is a comfort to know how many lives Gwen touched over her 17 years."

"She had a big, beautiful, kind, loving heart. And it stopped, as all must," the statement continues. "None of us know when our last heartbeat will come. The best we can hope for is that when our loved ones do pass, we will have no regrets about the time we were lucky enough to share.

"So hug the folks you love a little harder today. Be present in their lives. And spread your love a little farther. Because in the end, it's all that remains."

Our thoughts go out to Gwen Casten's family and friends at this time.

Featured image credit: Instagram/repseancasten

The suspected cause of death for former US Attorney Jessica Aber has been confirmed, days after she was found dead in her home in Virginia.

Police in Alexandria, Virginia, responded around 9AM on Saturday (March 22) to a report of an “unresponsive woman” at the 900 block of Beverley Drive.

Upon arrival, they found that the 43-year-old was deceased.

“Following notification of family members, the Alexandria Police Department can confirm the identity of the woman as Ms. Jessica Aber, age 43, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia,” the official police statement read.

According to authorities, it is believed that Aber died from natural causes, though the manner of her death has not yet been revealed, per the New York Post.

Alexandria police said in a statement released on Tuesday evening: "At this time, detectives have found no evidence suggesting that her death was caused by anything other than natural causes."

A family friend had previously told NBC News that they believed Aber died from a medical issue, and two former senior Justice Department officials also told the outlet that local law enforcement didn’t believe foul play was involved.

Alexandria police added in a statement: "The investigation is ongoing, and the case will remain open until the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) returns a final ruling on the cause and manner of death.

"We urge the public to respect the privacy of Ms. Aber’s family during this time of loss."

Aber had worked as U.S. Attorney for EDVA (Eastern District of Virginia) from 2021 to 2025 under former President Joe Biden, but had resigned from her post when President Donald Trump took office on January 20.

According to the Department of Justice website, Aber led a staff "of approximately 300 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel across four Divisions located in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News,” and served “over six million residents” throughout the district.

Tributes poured in for Aber following the news of her death, with current EDVA U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert issuing a heartfelt tribute, stating the office is “heartbroken beyond words.”

He also praised Aber as a “leader, mentor and prosecutor” who was “unmatched,” adding that she was “simply irreplaceable as a human being.”

"We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard. Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard," Siebert shared.

"Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career. She loved EDVA, and EDVA loved her back. We remain committed to her life’s work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted," he added.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also posted about Aber’s death on X (formerly Twitter), noting her contributions to public safety.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Aber, whose career of public service included US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realize,” he wrote. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family this week.”

Attorney General Pamela Bondi added: "The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time."

Further updates on Aber's cause of death are set to come from the medical examiner, police have said.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this devastating time.

Featured image credit: Samuel Corum / Getty Images

Kyle Busch’s family has revealed the cause of death after the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion died on Thursday at the age of 41.

According to a family statement obtained by FOX Sports and reported by FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass on Saturday, Busch died from complications linked to severe pneumonia that developed into sepsis.

"The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications," the statement read.

News of Busch’s death sent shockwaves through the racing world, with tributes pouring in from drivers, fans, and figures across motorsport following reports of his sudden passing.

The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion died on May 21, 2026. Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Family statement confirms medical complications

The statement released through FOX Sports provided the first official details surrounding Busch’s death after widespread speculation online following Thursday’s announcement.

Busch was one of NASCAR’s biggest stars and won two Cup Series championships during his career. His death prompted an outpouring of grief from the racing community, with several current and former drivers sharing emotional tributes in the hours after the news broke.

It was reported that Busch suffered complications after developing severe pneumonia, which later progressed into sepsis.

Racing world reacts to Busch’s death

Following confirmation of his death, NASCAR fans and members of the racing world flooded social media with messages honoring Busch’s legacy in the sport.

The outlet also highlighted reactions from readers sharing personal experiences with pneumonia and sepsis in the article’s comment section, with several describing how quickly the illness can become life-threatening.

The NASCAR legend is survived by his wife and two children. Credit: Instagram/@rowdybusch

One commenter wrote: “This happened to a friend of mine, very healthy caught pneumonia and died 48 hrs later. Same scenario, Very sad and scary, could happen to anyone. God rest their souls”

Another added: “I had that in 2020. Three surgeries, 12 days in the hospital, and another month of recovery and lost work after that. It sucks.”

Further details are expected to emerge in the coming days

FOX News described the report as a breaking news story and said updates would follow as more information becomes available.

Busch’s death has dominated headlines across the sports world, with coverage continuing ahead of this weekend’s Indy 500 and NASCAR events.

Featured image credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire