The seek for a lacking US Assistant Legal professional ended after he was discovered lifeless in a San Diego federal constructing, marking “one of many darkest days” within the workplace’s historical past.
Native police found former Performing U.S. Legal professional Andrew Haden, 48, lifeless inside an workplace on the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Constructing Wednesday, however dominated that no foul play is suspected.
Haden was reported lacking earlier within the day Wednesday and his physique was discovered hours later.
The health worker will decide the trigger and method of Haden’s dying.
Haden joined the US lawyer’s workplace in 2010 and twice stepped in as performing U.S. lawyer for the Southern District of California throughout management adjustments, serving roughly two months in each 2023 and 2025.
“Out of an abundance of warning, SDPD investigators responded to the scene, and no foul play is suspected,” a spokesperson mentioned in a press release. “The official trigger and method of dying will likely be decided by the Medical Examiner.”
Haden had taken over because the Southern District of California’s performing head lawyer twice lately — throughout two months in 2023 and one other two-month stint in 2025.
Southern District U.S. Legal professional Adam Gordon mourned Haden’s dying in a press release to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Gordon mentioned Thursday was “one of many darkest days in our workplace’s historical past, however there was nothing darkish about Andrew Haden’s life.”
“He was a beacon of sunshine — filled with laughter, friendship, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to serving our group,” Gordon informed the outlet. “We are going to honor his life and legacy by carrying his mild ahead, at this time and at all times.”
Gordon held a gathering throughout the workplace on Thursday with workers and emailed all of them to tell them of Haden’s dying, in line with the San Diego Union-Tribune.
He didn’t disclose particulars out of respect for Haden’s spouse and youngsters, the outlet reported.
Haden had a protracted historical past in San Diego — he was raised there and graduated from College Metropolis Excessive. He then went to Stanford College within the Bay Space and graduated with a bachelor’s diploma in political science.
The previous prosecutor then had a five-year-long stint within the Navy, deploying twice abroad.
He then dipped his fingers into regulation at regulation college on the College of San Diego, and served as a court docket clerk for U.S. District Decide Thomas J. Whelan within the Southern District of California.
Southern District of California Chief Decide Cynthia Bashant informed the San Diego Union-Tribune that the information is a “loss for everybody,” describing him as “properly liked and properly revered.”
Protection lawyer Jeremy Warren, who usually confronted off with Haden in court docket, informed the newspaper that “the truth that we remained mates all through is a testomony to the kind of man he was,” calling his dying “an enormous blow to all the federal group in San Diego.”
