Award-winning journalist and former ABC News correspondent Jim Avila has died at the age of 69.
The news was announced Thursday, November 13, by ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo, who described it as “sad news” and confirmed that Avila passed away “after a long illness.” No further details were immediately shared.
Macedo paid tribute to Avila’s remarkable career, which spanned nearly two decades at ABC News. “Jim was an L.A.-based correspondent specializing in politics, justice, law, and consumer investigations for nearly two decades,” she said during the broadcast.
Avila also served as a White House correspondent, where he made headlines for breaking one of the most significant diplomatic stories of the 2010s — the reopening of U.S.-Cuba relations. His coverage of that story earned him the Merriman Smith Award from the White House Correspondents’ Association in 2015. The WHCA praised his “excellence in presidential news coverage under deadline pressure,” citing his reporting on the release of U.S. contractor Alan Gross, who had been held in Cuba for five years.
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During his tenure at ABC, Avila also contributed to 20/20, where his in-depth reporting and investigative storytelling earned respect from both colleagues and viewers alike.
After leaving the network, Avila joined ABC’s San Diego affiliate as a senior investigative reporter, continuing to cover major stories with what Macedo described as “depth and fairness.”
Macedo also reflected on Avila’s personal strength, noting that he faced serious health challenges “with courage,” including undergoing a kidney transplant donated by his brother.
In a statement, ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic extended condolences to Avila’s family, including his three children — Jamie, Jenny, and Evan.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, and we thank him for his many contributions and unwavering commitment to seeking out the truth,” Karamehmedovic said.
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