Andrew Haden, 48, Found Dead in San Diego Federal Building

Q: If police suspect no foul play, what sudden tragedy claimed the life of the former acting U.S. attorney behind closed doors?

Authorities have not officially determined the cause of Andrew Haden’s death, but reporting indicates it is suspected he died by suicide. San Diego police said no foul play is suspected after Haden, 48, was found dead in an office inside the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in downtown San Diego. The San Diego County Medical Examiner is responsible for confirming the official cause and manner of death. Several follow-up reports, including from people familiar with the situation, said investigators suspect Haden took his own life. However, officials have not publicly issued a final medical ruling, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has withheld further details out of respect for his wife and children. Haden was a longtime federal prosecutor and twice served as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California. Colleagues described his death as a profound loss to the office and the wider legal community. If you or someone you know may be in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 21

Andrew Haden, 48, was found dead Wednesday inside an office at San Diego's Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building after he had been reported missing.
San Diego police said no foul play is suspected and investigators responded out of an abundance of caution; the cause of death was not given.
Haden spent 16 years in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California and twice served as acting U.S. attorney, in 2023 and 2025.
Adam Gordon called the death one of the office's darkest days, while local legal figures said Haden's passing was a major loss for San Diego's federal legal community.