Former ABC News Anchor Tom Jarriel Dies at 89

Tom Jarriel, a renowned former correspondent and anchor for ABC News, passed away on Thursday at the age of 89, his family announced. Born in Georgia, Jarriel grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and began his career in broadcast journalism in 1958 at Houston‘s KPRC.

Jarriel joined ABC News in 1965 and quickly gained national attention for his coverage of significant events, including the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was elevated to Chief White House Correspondent by 1969, covering the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

In 1979, Jarriel became the anchor of ABC’s Weekend Report and joined the primetime news magazine “20/20.” During his more than two decades at “20/20,” he reported on a wide range of topics, including a highly praised series on female members of the armed forces who alleged they were raped and sexually abused while serving. His series on the plight of children in Romanian orphanages was particularly memorable to him as “the great, defining story of my career.”

Jarriel’s impactful reporting earned him numerous accolades, including six Emmy awards, before his retirement in 2002. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan, and their three sons.