Social media influencer charged with plot to kill former boy band singer Jack Avery
The alleged murder plot included staging Avery's death to look like a shooting or an accident
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has charged social media influencer Gabriela Gonzalez, her father, and her former boyfriend with a conspiracy to kill former boy band singer Jack Avery — the father of her seven-year-old daughter — during a custody dispute in 2020.
The charges
Gabriela Gonzalez, 24, her father Francisco Gonzalez, 59, and her former boyfriend Faron Cordrey, 26, were charged on Tuesday with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. If convicted as charged, each faces a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the FBI initially investigated the allegations before handing the case over to Los Angeles County prosecutors. "This is a case where the defendants are accused of going to great lengths to find someone to commit murder," he said.
The alleged plot
According to court documents obtained by CBS News, witnesses told investigators that Gabriela Gonzalez repeatedly stated she wanted Avery dead and discussed hiring a hitman.
Prosecutors allege she asked Cordrey to search the dark web for a contract killer between 2020 and 2021, with the alleged murder plot including plans to stage Avery's death as a shooting or accident.
Francisco Gonzalez allegedly provided Cordrey with $10,000 to find and pay a hitman, who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent. Two months later, he allegedly sent an additional $4,000 after the apparent hitman requested more money.
"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," Hochman said.
Contact with an undercover officer
In September 2021, Cordrey allegedly spoke directly with the undercover law enforcement officer posing as a hitman, discussing payment, proof of death, and identifying Avery as the target. Cordrey allegedly told the officer that Gabriela Gonzalez wanted the murder carried out and that her father would fund it.
Avery's account
Avery — a former member of the boy band Why Don't We — described the moment FBI agents arrived at his door during a podcast interview last year. "Someone hired someone to kill me," he said.
