A veteran federal prosecutor was found dead inside a San Diego federal building after being reported missing.
Andrew Haden, 48, who twice served as the top federal law enforcement official in Southern California, was discovered Wednesday in an office at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, according to reports. Local police responded to the scene and stated that investigators found zero evidence suggesting foul play was involved.
A San Diego Police Department spokesperson confirmed that detectives went to the location "out of an abundance of caution" and that foul play has been ruled out at this stage. The official cause and manner of Haden's passing will be determined by the Medical Examiner, which has not yet released those findings.
Haden began working at the U.S. attorney's office back in 2010. He went on to hold the role of acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California on two separate occasions, stepping into that leadership position during transition periods in both 2023 and 2025, each time for approximately two months.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon delivered an emotional tribute, calling Thursday "one of the darkest days" his office has ever experienced. Gordon praised Haden as someone full of laughter, friendship, and deep integrity who was completely dedicated to serving the community. He vowed that colleagues would honor Haden's legacy by continuing his work.
Gordon chose not to share additional details about the circumstances, citing respect for Haden's wife and children.
Haden's background reads like a resume built for public service. Born and raised in San Diego, he graduated from University City High School before heading to Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. After college, he spent five years serving in the Navy and completed two deployments overseas. He then returned to his hometown to attend law school at the University of San Diego.
Following his legal education, Haden clerked for U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in the Southern District of California before launching what became a long and distinguished career as a federal prosecutor.
The legal community in San Diego is reeling from the news. Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant of the Southern District of California called his death a profound loss, noting that Haden was widely loved and deeply respected across the bench and bar.
Perhaps the most telling tribute came from defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who regularly went head to head against Haden in the courtroom. Despite being on opposite sides of high stakes federal cases, the two maintained a genuine friendship. Warren described Haden's passing as a devastating blow to the entire federal legal community in San Diego, adding that their lasting friendship spoke volumes about the kind of person Haden truly was.
Haden leaves behind a legacy of service, from the military to the courtroom, that touched virtually everyone who crossed his path in San Diego's federal legal world.
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