Andrew Haden, a veteran prosecutor for the Southern District of California, was found dead Wednesday inside a federal building in downtown San Diego, according to authorities.
The San Diego Police Department told NTD that officers were called late Wednesday evening about a man who was potentially missing.
Officers responded to the Edward Schwartz Federal Building, a major federal facility that houses key government offices such as the courtrooms, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office, and taxpayer services.
"A short time later, he was discovered deceased by law enforcement in an office at 880 Front St. in Downtown San Diego," Sgt. Saum Poorsaleh said in an emailed statement to NTD.
"Out of an abundance of caution, SDPD investigators responded to the scene, and no foul play is suspected," Poorsaleh added.
Haden, 48, had been a member of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California since 2010. The district includes San Diego and Imperial counties. During his 16-year federal career, he held several senior positions, including chief of the Violent Crimes and Human Trafficking Section and chief of the Criminal Division. He also served as first assistant U.S. attorney, which is the office's second-highest position.
He assumed the role twice of acting U.S. attorney during leadership transitions, serving in the position for roughly two months in 2023 and again in 2025. His career included work in both general and major crimes and involved some of the Southern District's most significant federal prosecutions.
Attorney Scott Carr said in a statement that Haden’s work extended past his official role.
“In addition to his work at DOJ, Haden was active in the San Diego Federal Bar Association, the Bench Bar Committee, and many other community groups,”
Carr said. “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. Andrew was always friendly with a kind word to say, which makes news of his passing all the more difficult.”
Haden was a San Diego native and
graduated from University City High School before earning a political science degree from Stanford University. After he graduated, Haden served in the United States Navy for five years, which included two overseas deployments. He earned his law degree from the University of San Diego, where he also worked as an adjunct professor.
The county Medical Examiner's Office is expected to determine the official cause and manner of death.
