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 loss of life.
Haden joined the US legal professional’s workplace in 2010 and twice stepped in as appearing U.S. legal professional for the Southern District of California throughout management modifications, 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 stated in an announcement. “The official trigger and method of loss of life might be decided by the Medical Examiner.”
Haden had taken over because the Southern District of California’s appearing head legal professional 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 loss of life in an announcement to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Gordon stated 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 neighborhood,” Gordon instructed the outlet. “We’ll honor his life and legacy by carrying his gentle ahead, at the moment and all the time.”
Gordon held a gathering inside the workplace on Thursday with employees and emailed all of them to tell them of Haden’s loss of life, based on the San Diego Union-Tribune.
He didn’t disclose particulars out of respect for Haden’s spouse and kids, 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 palms into legislation at legislation faculty 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 instructed the San Diego Union-Tribune that the information is a “loss for everybody,” describing him as “nicely beloved and nicely revered.”
Protection legal professional Jeremy Warren, who usually confronted off with Haden in court docket, instructed the newspaper that “the truth that we remained associates all through is a testomony to the kind of man he was,” calling his loss of life “an enormous blow to your entire federal neighborhood in San Diego.”
