Andrew Haden, 48, a former twice-acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, was discovered dead Wednesday in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in downtown San Diego. Police responded after he was reported missing. The San Diego Police Department confirmed no foul play is suspected.
Haden spent 16 years at the U.S. Attorney's Office, joining in 2010. A Navy veteran with two overseas deployments and a law degree from the University of San Diego, he served through multiple administrations. He was serving as acting U.S. attorney most recently in 2025, following President Donald Trump's removal of U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath.
"This is one of the darkest days in our office's history, but there was nothing dark about Andrew Haden's life," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement. "He was a beacon of light — full of laughter, friendship, integrity and an unwavering commitment to serving our community."
Those who worked with Haden described a professional marked by collegiality across ideological lines. Scott C. Carr, executive director of the San Diego County Bar Association, said Haden was consistently kind and dedicated to supporting his team, particularly during the recent government shutdown when he worked to mitigate the impact on office employees.
Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who frequently opposed Haden in court, said: "We remained friends throughout, which is a testament to the type of guy he was." Warren called Haden's death "a huge blow to the entire federal community in San Diego."
Few details have emerged about the circumstances of Haden's death beyond the initial police response and the notation that no foul play is suspected. His sudden passing has reverberated through San Diego's legal community during a period of institutional transition in federal law enforcement.
