How Did Andrew Haden Die? Cause of Death of Assistant US Attorney Found Dead Inside San Diego Federal Building Revealed

The cause of death of the missing U.S. attorney, who was found dead inside an office at a federal building in San Diego, has been revealed. Acting US Attorney Andrew Haden, 48, reportedly died by suicide. The California Post was the first to report Haden’s cause of death.

Local police found Haden dead inside an office at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Wednesday. Sources familiar with the investigation told The California Post that Haden died by hanging. Haden had been reported missing before being found dead. The medical examiner is expected to determine the official cause and manner of his death. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Shocking Death

Haden joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010 and served twice as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California during periods of leadership transition, holding the position for about two months in both 2023 and 2025.

A caller contacted the San Diego Police Department late Wednesday night to report that Haden might be missing. Shortly afterward, law enforcement found him dead inside an office at 880 Front St. in downtown San Diego.

“Out of an abundance of caution, SDPD investigators responded to the scene, and no foul play is suspected,” SDPD Sgt. Saum Poorsaleh said.

Scott C. Carr, executive director of the San Diego County Bar Association, said the local legal community was “devastated” by Haden’s sudden death. He remembered Haden as a supportive boss and a friendly colleague who “always” had something kind to say.

“Our legal community lost a good one,” Carr wrote in a LinkedIn tribute after Haden’s death.

Adam Gordon, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, also expressed his grief in a public statement, saying Thursday was “one of the darkest days in our office’s history, but there was nothing dark about Andrew Haden’s life.”

Haden “was a beacon of light — full of laughter, friendship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community,” Gordon said. “We will honor his life and legacy by carrying his light forward, today and always.”

Decorated Attorney

Gordon held a meeting with staff at the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday and also sent an email informing employees of Haden’s death. Haden grew up in San Diego and graduated from University City High School. He later attended Stanford University in the Bay Area, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science.

He went on to serve five years in the Navy, including two overseas deployments, before attending law school at the University of San Diego. After graduating, Haden worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in the Southern District of California.

Cynthia Bashant, chief judge of the Southern District of California, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Haden’s death was a “loss for everyone,” describing him as “well loved and well respected.”

Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who frequently faced Haden in court, told the newspaper that “the fact that we remained friends throughout is a testament to the type of guy he was.” He described Haden’s death as “a huge blow to the entire federal community in San Diego.”

Haden is survived by his wife and two children.

His family paid tribute to him on social media, sharing emotional messages following his death.

“Shocking, heartbreaking, surreal, just can’t wrap my head around it at the moment. Always remember TOMORROW NEEDS YOU! 988 RIP LT Andrew Haden,” Billy Haden wrote in a Facebook post.

Disclaimer: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line. You can also visit 988lifeline.org for support.