Jim Avila, a longtime ABC News correspondent known for his investigative reporting and White House coverage, has died at 69 after a long illness, anchor Diane Macedo announced on ABC News Live on Nov. 13.

Avila spent nearly two decades as a Los Angeles-based correspondent for ABC News, specializing in politics, justice, law, and consumer investigations. He also worked as a correspondent for “20/20” during his time with the network.

His work covering the reopening of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba earned him the Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association in 2015. The award recognized his reporting on U.S. contractor Alan Gross’ release from a Cuban prison.

“From tight, breathless morning reports where every word was news, to relaxed man-on-the-street

See Full Page