ABC News veteran Jim Avila dies at 70 after battling a long illness

The loss of a respected journalist often brings a mix of reflection and quiet emotion, and the news of Jim Avila’s death left many feeling that way.

His name carried weight across decades of reporting, and the announcement of his passing stirred memories of his long career.

Many who followed his work remember how consistently he appeared in major moments, often bringing clarity when it was needed most. The reactions that followed showed just how deeply his presence had become part of the broader news landscape.

Announcement of his passing​

The ABC News community shared the news on November 13, when ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo announced that Avila had “passed away after a long illness.”

She did not give additional details regarding his condition or final days, but her tone made clear the respect she held for him.

Macedo noted that Avila was born on July 26, 1955, offering a brief marker of the life he lived beyond his newsroom roles. Her message set the stage for a larger remembrance of his long, steady influence in journalism.

Career and major achievements​

In her remarks, Macedo highlighted Avila’s years as an LA-based correspondent covering politics, justice, law, and consumer investigations for nearly two decades.

She explained that “he also worked in the White House and broke the news that the US and Cuba had reopened diplomatic relations,” an accomplishment that earned him the Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association.

The award recognized his reporting on the release of contractor Alan Gross, a moment the WHCA described by saying, “From tight, breathless morning reports where every word was news, to relaxed man-on-the-street evening interviews, Avila told the whole story on merciless deadlines.”

The association added, “That’s the sort of excellence in presidential news coverage under deadline pressure that the Merriman Smith Award is meant to honor.”

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Work beyond the national spotlight​

During his years at ABC News, Avila also served as a correspondent for 20/20, further expanding his reach across the network’s platforms.

After stepping away from the national stage, he joined the ABC affiliate in San Diego as a senior investigative reporter, where Macedo said he continued covering “a wide range of stories with depth and fairness.”

His colleagues remembered how his approach remained consistent, even when he moved from national to local coverage. That phase of his career demonstrated his dedication to reporting wherever he felt he could make an impact.

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Personal challenges and legacy​

Macedo also shared that Avila faced significant health challenges, noting that he received “a kidney transplant donated by his brother,” and faced the experience “with courage.”

His resilience in the face of those difficulties added another layer to how coworkers and friends remembered him.

In a statement, ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic said, “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, including his three children, Jamie, Jenny, and Evan, and we thank him for his many contributions and unwavering commitment to seeking out the truth.”

His words captured the deep appreciation many held for Avila’s work over the years. Those who worked alongside him described him as steady, determined, and consistently focused on delivering honest reporting.

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Key Takeaways

[*]Former ABC News senior correspondent Jim Avila has died at the age of 70 after a long illness.
[*]Avila was a highly respected journalist, specializing in politics, justice, law, and consumer investigations during his nearly two-decade career with ABC News.
[*]He was awarded the prestigious Merriman Award by the White House Correspondents Association in 2015 for his coverage of the US and Cuba reopening diplomatic relations and the release of Alan Gross.
[*]ABC News and colleagues paid tribute to Avila’s dedication and courage, sending condolences to his family, including his three children.

The impact of his reporting still resonates with those who followed his career, reminding many of the value he brought to news coverage. His colleagues and viewers alike expressed gratitude for the clarity he provided over the years. Moments like these often cause people to think about the journalists who help make sense of the world. How do you remember the news figures who left a lasting mark, and what stands out to you most about their work?