A TikTok influencer, the former girlfriend of Why Don’t We singer Jack Avery, was arrested last week in California and charged with conspiring to hire a hitman to kill him as part of a bitter custody battle over their 7-year-old daughter. The plot allegedly involved dark web communications, cryptocurrency payments, and discussions about staging the murder to look like an accident.
Who’s Involved and What They’re Accused Of
The charges stem from a yearslong feud between Gabriela “Gabbie” Gonzalez, 24, and Avery, the father of their child. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Gonzalez—who has over 450,000 Instagram followers—allegedly enlisted her then-boyfriend, Kai Cordrey, 26, and her father, Francisco Gonzalez, 59, to help arrange the hit. The trio is accused of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder, with prosecutors claiming the plot unfolded between 2020 and 2021.
Francisco Gonzalez, a Florida-based civil trial lawyer, was arrested in Lake Mary on a California warrant and is awaiting extradition. Cordrey, who was arrested in Los Angeles, is being held on $2 million bail, while Gonzalez faces the same bail amount. The FBI initiated the investigation, which was later handed over to the Los Angeles County DA’s office, where charges were formally filed.
The Dark Web Plot: How It Allegedly Unfolded
The conspiracy allegedly began when Gonzalez, frustrated by the custody dispute, turned to Cordrey for help finding a hitman. In April 2021, Francisco Gonzalez sent Cordrey $10,000 as an advance payment, according to prosecutors. Two months later, Cordrey requested an additional $4,000 after the alleged hitman demanded more money. By September 2021, an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a hitman engaged in discussions with Cordrey about the murder-for-hire plot, including payment terms and proof of death.
Court documents reveal the plot included discussions about making the killing appear accidental, a detail that underscores the alleged sophistication of the scheme. The FBI’s involvement suggests the case was treated as a serious federal matter from the outset, given the use of cryptocurrency and dark web communications to coordinate the alleged crime.
Gonzalez was arrested at the Arcata-Eureka Airport in Humboldt County, California, on May 15, 2026, after being transferred from Los Angeles County custody. She was initially held in Humboldt County before being moved south, where she remains detained on $2 million bail.
Why This Case Stands Out: Custody Battles and Celebrity Scandals
This case is particularly striking because it intertwines a high-profile custody battle with allegations of a murder-for-hire plot—a rare and extreme escalation in family law disputes. Avery, who left the boy band Why Don’t We in 2024, has spoken openly about the fear he experienced during the custody fight, telling reporters he stayed in his home for a month straight, afraid to leave. His Instagram post thanking prosecutors for their support reflects the gravity of the situation.
Gonzalez’s father, Francisco, allegedly played a central role in the dispute, hiring a private investigator to surveil Avery and even threatening to involve law enforcement to manipulate the custody proceedings. The affidavit describes Avery as being portrayed as “unfit, dangerous, or harmful” in court documents, a tactic prosecutors say was used to justify the alleged plot.
The case also highlights the blurred lines between social media influence and real-world consequences. Gonzalez’s large following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram may have amplified the public’s fascination with the custody battle, but it also raises questions about how online personas can escalate personal conflicts into dangerous territory.
The Legal Stakes: What’s Next for the Defendants?
If convicted, Gonzalez, Cordrey, and Francisco Gonzalez could face life in prison. The charges carry significant penalties, and the case is being treated as a serious criminal matter rather than a family law dispute. The Los Angeles County DA’s office has framed this as a deliberate and calculated effort to eliminate Avery, rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
Legal experts suggest the prosecution will focus on the defendants’ alleged communications with the undercover officer, as well as the financial transactions tied to the plot. The use of cryptocurrency and dark web platforms could further complicate the defense’s argument, as these methods are often associated with criminal enterprises.
For Avery, the immediate focus remains on co-parenting and ensuring his daughter’s safety. His public statements emphasize his commitment to being a present father, a contrast to the allegations against Gonzalez and her family. The case also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked custody disputes, particularly when emotions run high and legal avenues feel insufficient.
Broader Implications: How This Case Reflects Trends in Celebrity and Family Law
This case is part of a broader trend where high-profile custody battles—often amplified by social media—escalate into extreme measures. While murder-for-hire plots are rare, the use of private investigators, legal manipulation, and public shaming tactics has become more common in contentious divorces involving celebrities or influencers.
The involvement of the FBI also signals that authorities are taking these cases seriously, particularly when they intersect with cybercrime or international coordination. As custody disputes increasingly play out in public forums, legal experts warn that the stakes—and the potential consequences—are higher than ever.
For Gonzalez’s followers, the arrest marks a dramatic shift from her online persona as a relatable influencer to a defendant in a serious criminal case. The contrast between her public image and the allegations against her underscores how quickly reputations can unravel in the digital age.
The case also raises questions about the role of social media in personal conflicts. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram provide a space for self-expression, they can also amplify tensions, turning private disputes into public spectacles. In this instance, the alleged plot may have been fueled by the inability to resolve the custody battle through traditional legal channels.
What Happens Now?
The next phase of the case will likely involve pretrial motions, bail hearings, and the exchange of evidence between the prosecution and defense. Given the complexity of the alleged plot—spanning multiple states and involving dark web transactions—the legal proceedings could drag on for months or even years.
For Avery, the focus will remain on his daughter and his career, though the case has already cast a shadow over his public image. The boy band Why Don’t We, which disbanded in 2024, may also face renewed scrutiny, though Avery has released music independently since leaving the group.
As for Gonzalez and her co-defendants, their legal team will likely argue that the allegations are exaggerated or fabricated, possibly framing the plot as a desperate attempt to regain custody rather than a genuine murder-for-hire scheme. However, the prosecution’s case—backed by FBI evidence and undercover recordings—poses significant challenges for their defense.
One thing is certain: this case will be closely watched not just for its legal outcome, but for how it reshapes discussions around custody battles, social media influence, and the lengths to which people will go to resolve personal conflicts.
