Andrew Haden, an Assistant U.S. Attorney who twice served as acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, was found dead Wednesday inside the federal building where he worked in San Diego, shortly after being reported missing. He was 48.

The San Diego Police Department received a report of a missing man Wednesday evening and later found Haden's body inside an office at 880 Front St., the address of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, according to a police spokesperson. Authorities said there were no signs of foul play, though the medical examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.

A Nearly 15-Year Career With the U.S. Attorney's Office

Haden joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California in 2010 and went on to hold several leadership roles over the course of his career, including chief of the Violent Crimes and Human Trafficking Section, chief of the Criminal Division, and first assistant U.S. attorney, the office's second-in-command position. He was twice appointed acting U.S. Attorney during leadership transitions, first for roughly two months in 2023 following the resignation of then-U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, and again for a similar stretch in 2025.

A San Diego native, Haden graduated from University City High School before earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University. He went on to serve five years in the U.S. Navy, including two overseas deployments, before earning his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, he worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in the Southern District of California and later taught part time as an adjunct professor at his alma mater's law school.

Colleagues Remember Him as a 'Beacon of Light'

Southern District U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon confirmed Haden's death in a statement, saying, "This is one of the darkest days in our office's history, but there was nothing dark about Andrew Haden's life." Gordon added, "He was a beacon of light, full of laughter, friendship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community. We will honor his life and legacy by carrying his light forward, today and always."

Southern District of California Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant called the news "a loss for everyone," describing Haden as "well loved and well respected." Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who frequently faced Haden in court, said, "The fact that we remained friends throughout is a testament to the type of guy he was," calling his death "a huge blow to the entire federal community in San Diego."

Scott Carr, executive director of the San Diego County Bar Association, wrote on LinkedIn that he was "just devastated" to learn of Haden's death. Carr recalled, "I remember talking with him during the most recent government shutdown about the impact it was having on employees in his office, and how [he] was working to support his team any way that he could." He added, "Andrew was always friendly with a kind word to say, which makes news of his passing all the more difficult."

Haden is survived by his wife and children.

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