Social media influencer Gabriela Gonzalez, better known as Gabbie Gonzalez, and her father are facing serious charges, including attempted murder, after allegedly plotting to hire a hitman to kill her ex-boyfriend, Jack Avery.
Avery, a member of the boy band Why Don’t We, shares a 7-year-old daughter with Gonzalez. Prosecutors say the motive was to prevent Avery from having custody of their daughter. Gonzalez’s father and her then-boyfriend are also facing charges related to the case.
Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot
The scheme reportedly began several years ago. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by People, 24-year-old Gabbie’s father, Francisco Gonzalez, became deeply involved in custody disputes and efforts to discredit, monitor, and remove Avery from his daughter’s life.
Witnesses described Francisco as hostile toward Avery and obsessed with gaining full custody. One witness said Francisco allegedly remarked that “it would be cheaper if Avery were dead.”
The affidavit claims Francisco orchestrated a plan to track and photograph Avery near his home to gather evidence that could harm him during the custody fight.
Investigation and Charges
The investigation, initially led by the FBI, was eventually handed over to local prosecutors. Ventura County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, “Most fathers raise their children to respect the law, but here we have a dad who allegedly helped his daughter and her boyfriend break the law in the most sinister way imaginable.”
Gabbie Gonzalez was arrested on May 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. She is charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. Prosecutors allege she used her then-boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, to solicit a hitman through the dark web.
Francisco Gonzalez reportedly provided Cordrey with $10,000 as initial payment in April 2021 to carry out the plan. Two months later, Cordrey requested an additional $4,000 from Francisco. In September 2021, an undercover officer posing as a hitman communicated with Cordrey, who allegedly confirmed Avery as the target and discussed payment and proof of death. Francisco is currently in Florida and is expected to be extradited to California to face similar charges.
Jack Avery Speaks Out
Jack Avery publicly addressed the situation in 2025 during an interview on the Zach Sang Show podcast. He revealed that the FBI had come to his house to inform him he was a target. The experience left him in shock and caused severe anxiety. Avery said he avoided leaving his home for about a month and developed an alcohol problem while coping with the trauma.
Although Avery did not disclose who specifically ordered the hit, he said the motive was to “relieve stress” and “make their life easier.” He also acknowledged having conflicts with Gabbie Gonzalez in the past but described her as a “great mom” and noted that their relationship had been improving.
Ongoing Case
The case has captured significant media attention as details of the alleged murder-for-hire plot continue to emerge. Prosecutors say both Gabriela and Francisco Gonzalez played active roles in planning and funding the scheme, which has caused widespread concern about parental involvement in extreme custody disputes.
This case underscores the extreme lengths some individuals may go to in family disputes and the lasting emotional impact on those involved, particularly on children and victims of targeted violence.
