A woman who previously dated a member of the musical group Why Don’t We now faces serious criminal charges for allegedly attempting to arrange his murder through a hired killer found on the dark web, according to authorities. The alleged scheme was reportedly connected to an ongoing custody battle involving their 7-year-old child.
Gabriela Gonzalez, age 24 and known for her substantial social media presence, received charges on Tuesday including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder in the supposed plan targeting Jack Avery, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Two additional suspects face identical charges: Francisco Gonzalez, her 59-year-old father, and Kai Cordrey, her 26-year-old boyfriend at the time.
“This is a case where the defendants are accused of going to great lengths to find someone to commit murder,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a news release.
According to Hochman, the charges resulted from an extensive investigation that began with the FBI before being transferred to the district attorney’s office.
In a Thursday Instagram message, Avery expressed gratitude to prosecutors and law enforcement for their assistance and stated his priority remains “being the best father I can be.”
According to prosecutors, Gonzalez allegedly enlisted Cordrey’s assistance to locate someone willing to kill Avery during the period spanning 2020 to 2021. Authorities claim that in April 2021, her father provided Cordrey with $10,000 as initial payment for the scheme. Prosecutors allege that two months afterward, Cordrey received an additional $4,000 from Francisco Gonzalez when the supposed assassin demanded more compensation.
In September 2021, an undercover law enforcement agent pretending to be a contract killer engaged in conversations with Cordrey regarding the murder-for-hire scheme. Authorities say Cordrey identified Avery as the intended victim and discussed both payment arrangements and requirements for proof of death with the undercover officer.
Gabriela Gonzalez, whose Instagram account boasts more than 450,000 followers, remained in custody at a Los Angeles-area detention center on Thursday with bail set at $2 million. Her legal representative, Elliot Zarabi, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Francisco Gonzalez was taken into custody in Florida and is currently waiting for extradition proceedings. He was being held Thursday at a Seminole County jail facility in Florida. Information about legal representation for him on these charges was not available.
According to Los Angeles County jail documentation, Cordrey was arrested on Thursday. Jail records did not indicate whether he had secured legal counsel.
All three suspects could receive life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges.
The musical group Why Don’t We put out their first album in 2018, featuring the track “8 Letters,” followed by a second album three years afterward. The band has since split up, and Avery independently released the song “XOXOX” this year.
