A veteran federal prosecutor who twice served as acting US attorney for the Southern District of California was found dead inside a San Diego federal building Wednesday, hours after he was reported missing.
Andrew Haden, 48, was discovered inside an office at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, according to local authorities.
The San Diego Police Department said investigators responded to the scene but found no indication of foul play.
“Out of an abundance of caution, SDPD investigators responded to the scene, and no foul play is suspected,” a department spokesperson said.
“The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.”
The medical examiner has not yet publicly announced Haden’s cause or manner of death.
Haden had been reported missing before he was discovered in the federal building.
His death sent shockwaves through San Diego’s federal legal community, where he had worked for years as a prosecutor and held the US attorney’s office’s top position during two separate leadership transitions.
Haden joined the US attorney’s office in 2010 and later served twice as acting US attorney for the Southern District of California.
He held the position for roughly two months during transitions in 2023 and again in 2025.
US Attorney Adam Gordon issued an emotional statement following Haden’s death, per Trending Politics.
Gordon called Thursday “one of the darkest days in our office’s history,” while paying tribute to Haden’s life and career.
“He was a beacon of light — full of laughter, friendship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community,” Gordon told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“We will honor his life and legacy by carrying his light forward, today and always.”
Gordon declined to provide additional details surrounding Haden’s death out of respect for his wife and children, according to the newspaper.
Haden was a San Diego native and attended University City High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University.
He subsequently served five years in the US Navy and completed two overseas deployments.
After his military service, Haden returned to San Diego and attended law school at the University of San Diego.
He later clerked for US District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in the Southern District of California before beginning his career as a federal prosecutor.
Those who worked alongside and against Haden in court remembered him as a highly respected member of San Diego’s legal community.
Southern District of California Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant described his death as a “loss for everyone,” saying Haden was “well loved and well respected.”
Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who frequently faced Haden from the opposite side of the courtroom, said the two maintained a friendship despite their professional battles.
“The fact that we remained friends throughout is a testament to the type of guy he was,” Warren said.
Warren described Haden’s death as “a huge blow to the entire federal community in San Diego.”
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Haden’s death.
Police have said no foul play is suspected, while the medical examiner’s investigation will determine the official cause and manner of death.
