Senior Investigative CNN journalist Drew Griffin has died at the age of 60.
Mr Griffin’s death on Sunday came after a long battle with cancer, his family said in a statement to the network.
“Drew’s death is a devastating loss to CNN and our entire profession,” CNN CEO Chris Licht wrote in a statement to the staff. “A highly acclaimed investigative journalist, Drew’s work had [an] incredible impact and embodied the mission of this organization in every way.”
CNNThis Morning anchor Don Lemon broke down in tears when announcing Mr Griffin’s passing on Monday, saying the late journalist’s work “embodied the mission of [CNN] in every way.”
On social media, tributes poured in for the veteran correspondent, who covered the war on terror in Israel, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York City, famine in Somalia and more in his 30-year prolific career.
Before joining CNN’s Special Investigative Unit in 2004, Mr Griffin worked for ten years, also as an investigative reporter, for CBS in Los Angeles.
While he received several journalistic awards throughout his career, Mr Griffin’s work was especially notable for its impact on policies.
Mr Griffin earned an Investigative Reporter and Editor’s award for exposing an underground medical network in Los Angeles and his coverage of sexual assault allegations by Uber customers prompted the ride-hailing company to introduce new safety measures, according to CNN.
For his investigation into delays at Veterans Affairs hospitals, which uncovered the deaths of 19 military veterans due to appointment delays and ultimately led to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation, Mr Griffin earned a Peabody Award in 2015.
Mr Griffin was the recipient of an Edward R Murrow Award for exposing fraudulent soliciting at Los Angeles International Airport and also earned a Peabody for his breaking news coverage of Hurricane Katrina.
He was named broadcast Journalist of the Year in 2007 by the Atlanta Press Club and would go on to win a total of three national Emmy Awards.
Mr Griffin interviewed high-profile political figures including American and Russian presidents. He was known for holding officials accountable, moving beyond their refusals to be interviewed and persistently asking the hard questions.
Mr Griffin confronted election deniers, including MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and debunked their unfounded claims,
His work, according to CNN, was cited by the Department of Justice and House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Mr Griffin’s colleagues shared their tributes on Monday, highlighting his work ethic and skills.
Fellow correspondent Omar Jimenez wrote on Twitter that “every time Drew Griffin did a story I knew I needed to turn up the volume.”
CNN political commentator John Avlon tweeted: “Just gutted by the news that Drew Griffin has passed away. He was a great investigative journalist - the most important beat for CNN and society - and a good man, gone far too soon.”
CNN’s Executive Vice President of Programming Michael Bass also lauded Mr Griffin for his relentless passion and commitment to journalism.
“Fearless and artful at the same time, he knew how to push a story forward to its limits, but also tell it in a way that would make everyone understand,” Mr Bass said, per CNN. “How many times has he chased an unwilling interviewee? How many times has he spoken truth to power? How many times has he made a difference on something important … It was an honor to be his colleague and to be witness to his work and the ways it changed the world.”
Mr Griffin is survived by his wife Margot, their three adult children and two grandchildren.
