Former Top Federal Prosecutor Found Dead Inside San Diego Courthouse
San Diego, Sunday, 23 August 2026.
Former acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden was found dead inside a San Diego federal building. Authorities report no foul play is suspected in the career prosecutor’s unexpected passing.
Discovery at Federal Building
Former acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden was found dead inside the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse in downtown San Diego, marking a somber moment for the legal community [1][3]. Law enforcement officials responded to a missing person’s call on Wednesday night, discovering Haden in a vacant office within the federal building [1][5]. San Diego Police Department officials stated that no foul play is suspected following their initial investigation of the scene [2][4]. The official cause and manner of death remain pending determination by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office [1][3]. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon confirmed the passing, describing it as one of the darkest days in the office’s history while honoring Haden’s integrity [3][5].
Career and Political Appointments
Haden served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California since 2010, completing approximately 16 years of service 16 [4][5]. He held the position of acting U.S. Attorney during leadership transitions in 2023 and 2025, leading the office for roughly two months during each period [1][3]. His 2025 tenure occurred after President Donald Trump ordered the firing of then-U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath, a Biden appointee, creating a vacancy Haden filled temporarily [3][4]. A Stanford University graduate and U.S. Navy veteran, Haden completed five years of military service including deployments for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom [2][5]. His career included roles as Chief of the Violent Crimes & Human Trafficking Section and Chief of the Criminal Division [5].
Investigation and Timeline Discrepancies
While police confirmed the discovery occurred on a Wednesday, media reports conflict regarding the specific date in August 2026 [alert! ‘sources conflict between August 12 and August 19’]. Some outlets reported the date as Wednesday, August 12, 2026, while others cited Wednesday, August 19, 2026 [2][4][5]. Given today’s date of Sunday, 23 August 2026, the August 19 date aligns with the most recent Wednesday, though multiple sources retain the earlier date [2][4]. Investigators responded to the scene out of an abundance of caution but are not treating the death as suspicious [3][5]. The Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the death internally via email on Thursday, August 20, 2026, according to office communications [2].
Community Reaction and Legacy
Legal professionals across San Diego expressed devastation, with Scott C. Carr of the San Diego County Bar Association noting the community lost a good one [2][4]. Defense attorney Jeremy Warren described Haden’s passing as a huge blow to the entire federal community in San Diego [2]. Haden received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance in 2020 and the Peter J. Mazza Outstanding Federal Lawyer Award in 2024 [5]. Colleagues remembered him as a beacon of light full of laughter and friendship despite the darkness of the situation [3][5]. His legacy includes mentoring teams during government shutdowns and maintaining friendships across opposing legal counsel [2][5].