Jim Avila, a seasoned correspondent for ABC News, passed away at the age of 69 following a lengthy illness, as announced by the network on Thursday.
Avila, known for his role on the ABC series “20/20,” had a kidney transplant in 2020 and departed from ABC News in 2021. The details surrounding his passing haven’t been fully disclosed.
“For nearly 20 years, Jim was an L.A.-based correspondent who focused on politics, law, and consumer issues,” said Diane Macedo, an anchor at ABC News Live. She highlighted Avila’s significant reporting on the resumption of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, for which he received the Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents’ Association.
According to reports, Avila died from complications related to a fall, as shared by Josh Mankiewicz, a former NBC News correspondent and colleague. He had recently been in hospice care for about six weeks.
Additionally, in 2015, Avila earned the Merriman Smith Award for his coverage of the release of American contractor Alan Gross from a Cuban prison, where he had spent five years. The White House Correspondents’ Association commented on Avila’s ability to handle tight deadlines, emphasizing his knack for engaging storytelling.
After leaving ABC News, Avila took on a role as a senior investigative reporter at ABC’s San Francisco affiliate, KGO-TV. His earlier career included local reporting positions in both California and Illinois, and he became well-known for his coverage of the O.J. Simpson murder trial while working for KNBC in Los Angeles. He joined ABC in 2004.
Macedo remembered Avila fondly, commending him for his fair and in-depth storytelling during his tenure in the San Francisco bureau.
Despite health challenges, including a kidney transplant from his brother, Avila faced his difficulties with bravery. His passing has prompted tributes from ABC News and various other media outlets, reflecting on his impactful career in journalism.
