Andrew R. Haden, the former acting U.S. Attorney, was found dead in a federal building in downtown San Diego Wednesday night, San Diego Police said.
Police said they received a call Wednesday night regarding a man who was potentially missing. A short time later, officers found Haden in an office inside the Edward J. Schwartz federal building.
Police said they suspected no foul play. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
No other details were released.
“This is one of the darkest days in our office’s history, but there was nothing dark about Andrew Haden’s life,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “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.”
Haden, 48, had been a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California since 2010. He served as acting U.S. attorney twice during leadership transitions, leading the office for about two months in 2023 and another two months last year.
Haden earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University. He later served five years in the U.S. Navy. After his military service, he attended the University of San Diego School of Law. He clerked for U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in the Southern District of California before beginning his career as a federal prosecutor.
City News Service contributed to this report.