Jim Avila, a decorated broadcast journalist who spent nearly two decades as a senior correspondent for ABC News, died November 12, 2025, at age 70 after a long illness, the network announced. (Some sources report he was 69, with a conflicting date of birth in sources.) His death marks the loss of one of television news’ most accomplished investigative reporters, whose career spanned major trials, White House coverage, and groundbreaking international stories.
ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic confirmed Avila’s passing in an internal message to staff. “Jim was a gifted journalist and a generous colleague,” Karamehmedovic said in an email. The network shared the news publicly through anchor Diane Macedo during ABC News Live programming on Thursday.
Avila specialized in politics, justice, law and consumer investigations during his tenure at ABC News, which began in 2004 and concluded in 2021. Based in Los Angeles, he served as both a senior correspondent and a correspondent for the investigative program “20/20,” covering stories that shaped national conversations and earned him recognition from journalism’s most prestigious organizations.
His most notable assignment came from 2012 to 2016 when he covered the White House during President Barack Obama’s second term. During this period, Avila broke the news that the United States and Cuba had reopened diplomatic relations, a significant development in international affairs that earned him the Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association. This prestigious honor recognizes excellence in presidential news coverage under deadline pressure, cementing Avila’s reputation for delivering consequential stories with accuracy and speed.
As senior law and justice correspondent, Avila reported on some of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent American history. He covered the trials of former Pennsylvania State University football coach Jerry Sandusky, entertainer Michael Jackson, and former NFL star OJ Simpson, bringing comprehensive coverage to cases that captured national attention. His reporting extended beyond courtrooms to immigration issues, making several trips to the southern border to document immigrant stories, and covering civil unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray.
Before joining ABC News, Avila served as a national correspondent for NBC News, where he established himself as a versatile reporter capable of handling breaking news and long-form investigations. His career in broadcast journalism included positions at multiple local television stations, including KGTV in San Diego and KNBC in Los Angeles, where he honed the investigative skills that would define his national reporting.
Throughout his career, Avila accumulated an impressive collection of journalism awards. He won two National Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards, honors that recognize outstanding achievements in electronic journalism. His work also earned him the Cine Golden Eagle Award, the Mongerson Prize for Investigative Reporting, and five Chicago-area Emmy Awards in the category of Spot News.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists recognized Avila’s contributions to the profession by naming him Reporter of the Year in 1999 and inducting him into their Hall of Fame in 2019. These honors reflected not only his journalistic excellence but also his role as a trailblazer for Hispanic journalists in mainstream broadcast news. He additionally garnered three Peter Lisagor Awards from the Headline Club of Chicago for his coverage of the Peru drug wars and the death of Mayor Harold Washington.
Reports indicate Avila faced significant health challenges in recent years. He underwent a kidney transplant, with his brother donating the organ. Despite these difficulties, he continued his journalism career with determination. After leaving ABC News in 2021, Avila joined KGTV, the ABC affiliate in San Diego, as senior investigative reporter.
Karamehmedovic noted that even after his health challenges began, Avila “continued to contribute to journalism through opinion writing and local reporting, sharing his experience and deep curiosity to tell the stories that mattered most to his community and viewers.” His commitment to journalism remained steadfast as he covered a wide range of stories with depth and fairness at the San Diego station.
Avila’s approach to journalism emphasized seeking truth and telling stories that impacted real people. Whether reporting from the White House, covering criminal trials, or investigating consumer issues, he brought thoroughness and integrity to his work. His ability to deliver complex stories under tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy made him a respected figure among colleagues and competitors alike.
In his statement, Karamehmedovic extended condolences to Avila’s family. “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,” he said.
Avila’s career exemplified the evolving nature of broadcast journalism over several decades. From local news stations to network correspondent positions, he adapted to changing media landscapes while maintaining focus on investigative reporting and stories of public importance. His legacy includes not only the awards and recognition he received but also the standard of excellence he set for investigative journalism in an era of rapid news cycles and digital transformation.
