Why Don't We's Jack Avery Targeted in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot Orchestrated by Ex-Girlfriend
Gabriela Gonzalez, an influencer and former partner of Why Don't We's Jack Avery, has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged plot to have the singer killed, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, a social media influencer and mother to a child with former Why Don’t We member Jack Avery, has been arrested and charged with allegedly hiring a hitman to kill Avery, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday (May 19). The alleged motive appears to be a child custody dispute.
According to the D.A.’s office, Gonzalez allegedly enlisted her then-boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, to find a hitman to kill Avery during a custody battle over their now seven-year-old daughter between 2020 and 2021. Gonzalez’s father, Francisco Gonzalez, allegedly sent Cordrey $14,000 to locate, hire, and pay someone to carry out the act.
Related
<div>
</div>
In September 2021, an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a hitman spoke with Cordrey about the murder-for-hire scheme, according to the release. Cordrey allegedly told the undercover officer that Avery was the target and discussed payment and proof of death. In a later conversation, Cordrey allegedly stated that Gabriela wanted the murder to occur and Francisco would provide the payment.
Gabriela was arraigned on Tuesday (May 19) in Los Angeles. Francisco was arrested in Florida and awaits extradition. All three face 25 years to life in state prison if convicted on all counts, charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder.
“This was a lengthy investigation initiated by the FBI and eventually turned over to our office, resulting in criminal charges being filed today,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman in a statement. “This is a case where the defendants are accused of going to great lengths to find someone to commit murder. 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.”
Also on Tuesday, Avery filed a petition in Los Angeles court seeking a restraining order against Gabriela, stating he was “notified by the FBI” of the murder plot in 2021. “In 2025, I am informed and thereon believe the FBI turned the case over to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office and identified Gabriela, Gabriela’s father Francisco Gonzalez, and her ex-boyfriend, Kai Cordrey as co-conspirators in a plot to have me killed,” his statement continued.
Related
<div>
</div>
The petition adds that Avery was informed on Friday (May 15) that Gabriela had been arrested and their daughter removed from her custody and placed with a foster family, prompting him to travel to Northern California to pick her up. Avery is requesting sole legal custody of their daughter with no visitation rights.
The murder-for-hire case is being prosecuted by L.A. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott of the major crimes division. The investigation is ongoing.
A representative for Avery declined to comment. Contact information for Gabriela, Francisco, and Cordrey was not immediately available.
Formed in 2016, Why Don’t We released two studio albums before becoming embroiled in a legal battle with Signature Entertainment, their former management company, which sued the band for anticipatory breach of contract and defamation in 2021. Previously, the band had accused Signature co-founder David Loeffler, then their manager, of restricting their food intake and verbal abuse, among other allegations.
In 2022, Why Don’t We was forced to go on hiatus and cancel a concert tour after the band said it was served a cease and desist letter from Signature barring them from entering agreements with promoters or venues. Last year, following a trial, four of the band’s members, including Avery, were forced to pay a symbolic $1 each to their former managers and prohibited from using the band’s name going forward.
Related Articles
Listen to Why Don't We on Foxsoundi. Click here to listen!
Comments (0)
Login to comment