A 48-year-old former acting U.S. attorney was found dead inside a downtown San Diego federal office building on Wednesday, authorities confirmed Friday. No foul play is suspected, according to the San Diego Police Department.
The body of Andrew Haden, a longtime federal prosecutor, was discovered in an office at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building—home to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California—shortly after he was reported missing late Wednesday evening.
Key developments
- San Diego police responded to a missing persons call at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday and located Haden’s body inside the federal building.
- Authorities stated they are not treating the death as suspicious, though investigators responded “out of an abundance of caution.”
- The county Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
Tributes from colleagues
Acting U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon issued a statement calling Haden’s death “one of the darkest days in our office’s history,” adding that Haden was “a beacon of light—full of laughter, friendship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community.”
Gordon pledged to “honor his life and legacy by carrying his light forward, today and always.”
Career and background
Haden joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010 and served as the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California during two leadership transitions—in 2023 and 2025. He briefly led the office in 2025 after President Donald Trump ordered the firing of then-U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath, a Biden appointee.
A Stanford University graduate with a degree in political science, Haden was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for five years, including deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law.
Haden held multiple leadership roles during his career, including chief of the Violent Crimes & Human Trafficking Section and first assistant U.S. attorney, the second-highest position in the office. Colleagues described him as a nationally recognized trial advocacy instructor who had conducted more than two dozen jury trials.
Family and community impact
Haden is survived by his spouse and two children, according to reports. Legal professionals, including prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys, paid tribute to his leadership and dedication. Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant of the Southern District of California told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Haden’s death was “a loss for everyone.”
The San Diego Police Department confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with no further details available pending the Medical Examiner’s findings.