Andrew Haden spent his adult life in service, first in uniform and later inside some of California’s busiest federal courtrooms.
Over more than a decade with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, he rose through leadership roles. He twice served as acting U.S. attorney during transitions. Colleagues remembered him not just for his legal work, but for the attention he gave to the people around him.
On Wednesday evening, San Diego police responded to a report of a potentially missing person. Haden, 48, was later found dead inside an office at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in downtown San Diego, where he had worked as an assistant U.S. attorney since 2010.
Police said they suspect no foul play. The San Diego County Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death, which remains pending.
As news of his death spread, members of San Diego’s legal community shared memories of a prosecutor and leader whose influence extended far beyond his official title.
More Than a Former Officeholder
Haden’s role as an assistant U.S. attorney does not fully reflect the level of responsibility he carried within the Southern District of California.
He joined the office in 2010 and spent the next sixteen years moving through some of its most demanding positions. He led the Violent Crimes & Human Trafficking Section, served as chief of the Criminal Division, and became first assistant U.S. attorney, placing him directly below the district’s top federal prosecutor.
Twice, Haden was asked to serve as acting U.S. attorney. In 2023, he held the position for about two months during a leadership transition. He returned to the role in 2025 for another two months as the office went through another leadership change.
A Missing Person Investigation Becomes a Death Investigation
Authorities have shared limited details while waiting for the medical examiner’s official findings.
San Diego police reportedly said investigators responded to the federal building after receiving a report of a potentially missing man. “Out of an abundance of caution, SDPD investigators responded to the scene, and no foul play is suspected,” police said in a statement.
They also stated that a medical examiner will determine the official cause and manner of Haden’s death.
The medical examiner’s ruling will provide the formal determination. Until then, investigators have continued to describe the circumstances carefully, avoiding conclusions before the official review is complete.
‘Nothing Dark About Andrew Haden’s Life’
The first reactions from colleagues painted a picture of a respected leader whose impact was felt across the courtroom divide.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon addressed staff the morning after Haden’s death and described the moment as “one of the darkest days in our office’s history.” Still, Gordon emphasized that “there was nothing dark about Andrew Haden’s life.” He described Haden as “a beacon of light” and highlighted his laughter, friendship, integrity, and commitment to serving the community.
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Scott C. Carr, executive director of the San Diego County Bar Association, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he was “just devastated” by the news. He remembered a conversation with Haden during a government shutdown, when Haden focused on supporting employees in his office rather than the larger political conflict.
“Andrew was always friendly with a kind word to say,” Carr said, adding that those qualities made the loss even harder to process. Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who had appeared against Haden in federal court, called the death “a huge blow to the entire federal community in San Diego.”
He told the outlet that their friendship over the years showed the character Haden brought to professional relationships, even across opposing sides of the courtroom.
Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant also remembered him as “well loved and well respected,” calling his death a loss for the entire legal community.
Before the Law
Haden’s career in federal prosecution was built on a foundation of service that began long before he entered a courtroom.
A San Diego native, Haden studied political science at Stanford University before spending five years as a commissioned Navy officer. During his military career, he completed overseas deployments connected to operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Liberia.
After leaving the Navy, he attended the University of San Diego School of Law and eventually joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he would spend the rest of his professional life.
His connection to the community was both personal and professional. Haden grew up in San Diego, served his country overseas, and returned home to build a legal career focused on the same region where he was raised.
According to PEOPLE, Haden is survived by his wife and two children.
The Official Ruling
According to The California Post, the San Diego County Medical Examiner officially ruled Haden’s manner of death as suicide, following a formal review process concluded on August 21, 2026.
This conclusion brings a definitive, albeit painful, end to the investigation into the death of the former leader of the Southern District of California. For the Southern District of California, the immediate challenge is moving forward after losing someone trusted twice to lead the office through important transitions.
For the people who worked beside him, the impact of his absence is already clear. They remember a prosecutor who handled serious responsibilities while making time for the people around him, a leader who supported his staff, and a colleague whose reputation extended beyond his courtroom record.
If you or someone you know is struggling, free and confidential support is available around the clock by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Have you ever worked with a leader whose kindness and support made a lasting impression?
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