Jim Avila, a veteran ABC News correspondent whose investigative reporting earned him some of broadcast journalism’s most prestigious awards, has died after a lengthy battle with illness, the network announced.

Avila, 69, died Wednesday at his home in San Diego , his family said.

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

Avila faced health challenges “with courage,” ABC News said.

He received a kidney transplant donated by his brother in 2020 and left the network in 2021.

Avila worked at ABC News for nearly two decades as a Los Angeles-based senior correspondent who covered politics, justice, law and consumer investigations.

He also served as a “20/20” correspondent.

From 2012 to 2016, Avila covered the

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