Topline: Authorities say a Florida lawyer, his influencer daughter and her ex-boyfriend conspired to pay a hitman to kill singer Jack Avery during a custody fight.
Published: May 21, 2026 12:00 pm ET
Must Read
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL — A Central Florida lawyer, his TikTok-famous daughter and her former boyfriend are accused of conspiring to pay a hitman to kill singer Jack Avery, the father of the daughter’s child, in a plot authorities say grew out of a long-running custody and visitation battle.
According to FOX 35, Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, 25, was arrested in California, while her father, 59-year-old Central Florida civil trial lawyer Francisco Javier Gonzalez, was arrested Monday in Lake Mary on a California warrant for conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors also charged Kai Faron Cordrey, identified as Gabriela Gonzalez’s then-boyfriend, in the alleged scheme.
Investigators said Avery and Gabriela Gonzalez share a 7-year-old daughter and have been involved in a “longstanding custody and visitation” dispute. Detectives said Francisco Gonzalez had become “deeply involved” in the fight, allegedly hiring a private investigator to watch Avery for signs he was drinking, smoking or otherwise behaving in a way that could be used against him in court. The report also said he allegedly threatened to have Avery arrested if he showed up for visitation and tried to involve a law enforcement contact, though authorities did not elaborate on that point.
Prosecutors allege that during the tense custody battle in 2020 and 2021, Gabriela Gonzalez turned to Cordrey to find a hitman through the dark web. Francisco Gonzalez is accused of paying Cordrey $10,000 under the guise of web development work to locate, hire and pay someone to kill Avery. Prosecutors said Cordrey later asked for another $4,000, which Francisco Gonzalez also allegedly paid.
Authorities said Cordrey began communicating in September 2021 with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a hitman. Prosecutors said Cordrey identified Avery as the target, discussed payment and proof of death, and later told the undercover officer that Gabriela Gonzalez wanted the killing carried out and Francisco Gonzalez could cover the cost.
Avery, a former member of Why Don’t We, has previously spoken publicly about the fear he said he lived with during the custody dispute, saying in a YouTube interview that he stayed inside his house for a month because he was scared and kept looking out his windows at night. TMZ also reported Tuesday that Avery filed for a restraining order against Gabriela Gonzalez and asked for sole custody of their daughter following the arrests.
Los Angeles County issued the warrant for Francisco Gonzalez on May 12, and his attorney said during his first Seminole County court appearance that he planned to waive extradition and return to California. If convicted, prosecutors said the defendants could face penalties ranging from 25 years to life in state prison.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Lawyer and TikTok Influencer Daughter Accused in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Singer Jack Avery
Authorities say a Florida lawyer, his influencer daughter and her ex-boyfriend conspired to pay a hitman to kill singer Jack Avery during a custody fight.
By Silvia Torres
Published: May 21, 2026 12:00 pm ET
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL — A Central Florida lawyer, his TikTok-famous daughter and her former boyfriend are accused of conspiring to pay a hitman to kill singer Jack Avery, the father of the daughter’s child, in a plot authorities say grew out of a long-running custody and visitation battle.
According to FOX 35, Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, 25, was arrested in California, while her father, 59-year-old Central Florida civil trial lawyer Francisco Javier Gonzalez, was arrested Monday in Lake Mary on a California warrant for conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors also charged Kai Faron Cordrey, identified as Gabriela Gonzalez’s then-boyfriend, in the alleged scheme.
Investigators said Avery and Gabriela Gonzalez share a 7-year-old daughter and have been involved in a “longstanding custody and visitation” dispute. Detectives said Francisco Gonzalez had become “deeply involved” in the fight, allegedly hiring a private investigator to watch Avery for signs he was drinking, smoking or otherwise behaving in a way that could be used against him in court. The report also said he allegedly threatened to have Avery arrested if he showed up for visitation and tried to involve a law enforcement contact, though authorities did not elaborate on that point.
Prosecutors allege that during the tense custody battle in 2020 and 2021, Gabriela Gonzalez turned to Cordrey to find a hitman through the dark web. Francisco Gonzalez is accused of paying Cordrey $10,000 under the guise of web development work to locate, hire and pay someone to kill Avery. Prosecutors said Cordrey later asked for another $4,000, which Francisco Gonzalez also allegedly paid.
Authorities said Cordrey began communicating in September 2021 with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a hitman. Prosecutors said Cordrey identified Avery as the target, discussed payment and proof of death, and later told the undercover officer that Gabriela Gonzalez wanted the killing carried out and Francisco Gonzalez could cover the cost.
Avery, a former member of Why Don’t We, has previously spoken publicly about the fear he said he lived with during the custody dispute, saying in a YouTube interview that he stayed inside his house for a month because he was scared and kept looking out his windows at night. TMZ also reported Tuesday that Avery filed for a restraining order against Gabriela Gonzalez and asked for sole custody of their daughter following the arrests.
Los Angeles County issued the warrant for Francisco Gonzalez on May 12, and his attorney said during his first Seminole County court appearance that he planned to waive extradition and return to California. If convicted, prosecutors said the defendants could face penalties ranging from 25 years to life in state prison.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Lawyer and TikTok Influencer Daughter Accused in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Singer Jack Avery
Authorities say a Florida lawyer, his influencer daughter and her ex-boyfriend conspired to pay a hitman to kill singer Jack Avery during a custody fight.
By Silvia Torres
Published: May 21, 2026 12:00 pm ET
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL — A Central Florida lawyer, his TikTok-famous daughter and her former boyfriend are accused of conspiring to pay a hitman to kill singer Jack Avery, the father of the daughter’s child, in a plot authorities say grew out of a long-running custody and visitation battle.
According to FOX 35, Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, 25, was arrested in California, while her father, 59-year-old Central Florida civil trial lawyer Francisco Javier Gonzalez, was arrested Monday in Lake Mary on a California warrant for conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors also charged Kai Faron Cordrey, identified as Gabriela Gonzalez’s then-boyfriend, in the alleged scheme.
Investigators said Avery and Gabriela Gonzalez share a 7-year-old daughter and have been involved in a “longstanding custody and visitation” dispute. Detectives said Francisco Gonzalez had become “deeply involved” in the fight, allegedly hiring a private investigator to watch Avery for signs he was drinking, smoking or otherwise behaving in a way that could be used against him in court. The report also said he allegedly threatened to have Avery arrested if he showed up for visitation and tried to involve a law enforcement contact, though authorities did not elaborate on that point.
Prosecutors allege that during the tense custody battle in 2020 and 2021, Gabriela Gonzalez turned to Cordrey to find a hitman through the dark web. Francisco Gonzalez is accused of paying Cordrey $10,000 under the guise of web development work to locate, hire and pay someone to kill Avery. Prosecutors said Cordrey later asked for another $4,000, which Francisco Gonzalez also allegedly paid.
Authorities said Cordrey began communicating in September 2021 with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a hitman. Prosecutors said Cordrey identified Avery as the target, discussed payment and proof of death, and later told the undercover officer that Gabriela Gonzalez wanted the killing carried out and Francisco Gonzalez could cover the cost.
Avery, a former member of Why Don’t We, has previously spoken publicly about the fear he said he lived with during the custody dispute, saying in a YouTube interview that he stayed inside his house for a month because he was scared and kept looking out his windows at night. TMZ also reported Tuesday that Avery filed for a restraining order against Gabriela Gonzalez and asked for sole custody of their daughter following the arrests.
Los Angeles County issued the warrant for Francisco Gonzalez on May 12, and his attorney said during his first Seminole County court appearance that he planned to waive extradition and return to California. If convicted, prosecutors said the defendants could face penalties ranging from 25 years to life in state prison.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
