Jim Avila, a longtime correspondent for ABC News, has died at 70 after battling a long illness.

ABC shared the news of his death on Thursday.

“Jim was a gifted journalist and a generous colleague,” said ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic in an email sent to staff.

Avila was a correspondent for ABC’s “20/20″ based in Los Angeles. He covered the White House for the network during former president Barack Obama’s second term from 2012 to 2016.

Avila specialized in politics, justice, law and consumer investigations. He covered several high-profile trials throughout his career, including those of Michael Jackson and OJ Simpson, according to ABC News.

Winning several awards during his time as an ABC correspondent, including two National Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards, he

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