TikTok Star, Dad, Ex Accused in Murder Plot

TikTok influencer Gabbie Gonzalez, her father, and her ex-boyfriend pleaded not guilty in a California courtroom on Monday to charges of plotting to kill Why Don't We singer Jack Avery using a paid assassin. Prosecutors allege the trio conspired to murder Avery due to a prolonged and acrimonious custody battle over Gonzalez's 7-year-old daughter with the singer.

Gonzalez, her father Francisco, and ex-boyfriend Kai Faron Cordrey are each charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. The alleged scheme, which took place between October 2020 and May 2021, reportedly involved discussions of using Bitcoin on the dark web to arrange the hit and make it appear accidental. Francisco Gonzalez allegedly sent $10,000 to Cordrey to hire a hitman.

Prosecutors claim Cordrey communicated with a dark-web account and later spoke with an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman. During calls in September 2021, Cordrey allegedly identified Avery as the target and discussed payment. Gabbie Gonzalez reportedly spoke with Cordrey more than a year later, in October 2022, about the plot and potential exposure.

If convicted, the defendants each face 25 years to life in state prison. Avery had sought a civil restraining order, stating he was notified by the FBI in 2021 that a hitman had been hired to kill him, and expressed ongoing safety concerns for himself and their daughter.