According to reports, social media influencer Gabriela Gonzalez and her father have been arrested in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting her former partner, Jack Avery, amid a yearslong custody dispute involving the couple’s seven-year-old daughter.
Court documents reportedly obtained by PEOPLE allege that Gonzalez, 24, and her father, Francisco Javier Gonzalez, 59, discussed plans to have Avery killed, allegedly using Bitcoin, the dark web and a staged car accident as part of the scheme. Authorities claim the alleged plot dates back several years and stemmed from an ongoing custody and visitation battle between Gonzalez and Avery, a member of the boy band Why Don’t We. According to investigators, Francisco Gonzalez allegedly became heavily involved in the dispute and was accused of attempting to monitor, discredit and remove Avery from his daughter’s life. Witnesses reportedly told investigators that Francisco made statements suggesting “it would be cheaper if Avery were dead.” The affidavit also alleges that Gabriela Gonzalez repeatedly expressed a desire to have Avery killed and discussed arranging for a hitman with alleged co-conspirator Kai Cordrey. Authorities claim the group discussed making Avery’s death appear to be a traffic accident in Los Angeles.
Investigators further allege that Francisco Gonzalez funded the operation, reportedly transferring approximately 10-thousand dollars disguised as payments for web-development services. Financial records allegedly showed funds being moved through cryptocurrency accounts. According to reports, Francisco Gonzalez later communicated with an undercover federal agent posing as a hitman and allegedly used coded language, while discussing payment and confirmation of the target. Authorities also claim the suspects used encrypted messaging platforms, including Signal, during the alleged conspiracy.
Avery previously revealed during a 2025 interview on the The Zac Sang Show that FBI agents had warned him someone was allegedly trying to kill him, though he did not publicly identify any suspects at the time.
Gabriela Gonzalez is currently being held in California without bail, while her father was arrested in Florida on an out-of-state warrant tied to charges including conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder.
