Andrew Haden Suicide Obituary – Former Acting U.S. Attorney Dies in San Diego

Andrew Haden, a respected federal prosecutor who twice served as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, has died in San Diego. His death was confirmed on Thursday, August 20, 2026, after he was found dead inside an office at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in downtown San Diego.

Haden’s death has brought shock and grief to colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he had spent more than 15 years pursuing federal cases and serving the San Diego community.

Andrew Haden Found Dead in San Diego Federal Building

San Diego police were called late Wednesday night after receiving a report that a man was missing. Officers were later dispatched to the federal building at 880 Front St., where they found Haden dead inside an office.

Police said investigators responded to the location out of an abundance of caution and that no foul play was suspected. The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.

At the time of publication, authorities had not publicly announced a cause of death.

Who Was Andrew Haden?

Haden was a San Diego native who built his professional life around public service and federal law enforcement.

He was a graduate of University City High School before attending Stanford University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later served in the U.S. Navy before pursuing a legal career.

Haden received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He also remained connected to the university through teaching, working part time as an adjunct professor.

His combination of military service, legal training and federal prosecution became central to his career.

Andrew Haden’s Federal Prosecutorial Career

Haden joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in 2010. During his years with the office, he worked in both the General Crimes Section and the Major Crimes Section.

He eventually became chief of the Violent Crimes and Human Trafficking Section, taking on responsibility for some of the office’s most serious and complex cases.

His career also led him twice into the role of acting U.S. attorney.

Haden first served as acting U.S. attorney in 2023. He returned to the position in 2025, demonstrating the confidence placed in his experience and leadership within the federal prosecutor’s office.

His work included the prosecution of violent crimes and cases involving human trafficking, areas that require considerable investigative, courtroom and leadership experience.

Colleagues Remember Andrew Haden

U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon confirmed Haden’s death in a statement and paid tribute to the prosecutor’s character and commitment to public service.

Gordon described Haden as a person whose life was defined by laughter, friendship, integrity and an unwavering commitment to serving the community.

For colleagues who worked alongside him, Haden’s death represents the loss of a longtime member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office who devoted much of his professional life to federal justice and public safety.

His career also reflected a strong connection to San Diego. Born and raised in the area, Haden ultimately returned his professional service to the community where he grew up.

Andrew Haden Cause of Death

The cause and manner of Andrew Haden’s death had not been publicly determined as of August 20, 2026.

San Diego police said no foul play was suspected, but emphasized that the Medical Examiner would make the official determination.

Because the investigation remains at an early stage, speculation about the circumstances of Haden’s death should be avoided until the Medical Examiner or another authorized agency releases additional information.

Andrew Haden Obituary and Legacy

Andrew Haden’s death marks the end of a lengthy career dedicated to federal law enforcement and public service.

From his early years in San Diego and education at University City High School and Stanford University to his service in the U.S. Navy and subsequent legal career, his professional journey was closely connected to service.

His more than 15 years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office included work on major criminal matters, leadership of the Violent Crimes and Human Trafficking Section and two periods as acting U.S. attorney.

For San Diego’s federal law enforcement community, his legacy will be associated with the people he worked beside, the cases he handled and the commitment he brought to his role.

Funeral and memorial arrangements had not been publicly announced at the time of this report. Further information may be released by his family or colleagues as arrangements are made.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the San Diego legal community are now mourning a prosecutor who spent his career serving the city where he was born and raised.

Disclaimer: This obituary-style report is based on information available as of August 20, 2026. The official cause and manner of Andrew Haden’s death had not yet been determined by the Medical Examiner at the time of publication. Funeral arrangements and additional personal information may be updated when confirmed details are released by his family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office or other authorized sources.