Veteran ABC News Correspondent Jim Avila Dies at 58 After Long Illness

In a sad turn of events, veteran journalist Jim Avila has passed away at the age of 58. Avila, who had been a correspondent for ABC News since 2004, died in 2025 after a prolonged illness, including complications from a kidney transplant he had received.

Avila was a highly respected and accomplished reporter, having won numerous accolades over the course of his career. This includes the prestigious Merriman Smith Memorial Award from the White House Correspondents' Association for his coverage of the reopening of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba in 2014.

Prior to his time at ABC News, Avila had worked as a national correspondent for NBC News, where he reported on the aftermath of 9/11 and from Iraq and Afghanistan. He also held positions at various local news stations in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Avila's passing is a significant loss for the journalism community. ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic expressed the network's "heartfelt condolences" to Avila's family, including his three children. Colleagues praised Avila's "unwavering commitment to seeking out the truth" through his impactful reporting over the years.