Assistant US Attorney Found Dead Inside San Diego Federal Building

Sipa USA via AP, US Attorney’s Office For the Southern District of California

An assistant U.S. Attorney was found dead inside a San Diego federal building this week, just hours after he was reported missing.

Authorities found the body of Andrew Haden, 48, Wednesday in a vacant office inside the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building.

A person familiar with the case told The San Diego Union-Tribune, “it’s suspected Haden took his own life.”

A San Diego police spokesperson said in a statement, “Out of an abundance of caution, SDPD investigators responded to the scene, and no foul play is suspected. The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.”

The county Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to the paper it was investigating Haden’s death, but gave no other details.

According to The Los Angeles Times, “Haden was a veteran prosecutor who had held several leadership roles during his career, including that of first assistant attorney general for the Southern District, which is the second-in-command role. He also served as chief of the Violent Crimes & Human Trafficking Section and of the Criminal Division.”

Haden joined the Southern District of California office in 2010 through the Attorney General’s Honors Program, and spent 16 years with the office.

The Union-Tribune said Haden was “the  father of two school-aged children and a U.S. Navy veteran.”

Southern District U.S. Atty. Adam Gordon confirmed Haden’s death to The Union-Tribune on Thursday, calling it “one of the darkest days in our office’s history, but there was nothing dark about Andrew Haden’s life.”

Gordon called Haden “a beacon of light” in an email sent to staff Thursday, adding that he was “full of laughter, friendship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community. We will honor his life and legacy by carrying his light forward, today and always.”

Gordon added that “out of respect for Haden’s wife and children, he wouldn’t disclose further details,” the paper said.

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