TikTok Influencer Charged in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot

TikTok influencer Gabbie Gonzalez has been charged in Los Angeles in an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting former Why Don’t We member Jack Avery.

Gonzalez, 24, was arrested last week in Northern California before appearing in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday. Prosecutors allege she conspired to arrange the killing of Avery, with whom she shares a young daughter, during a custody dispute.

The influencer was arrested alongside her father, Francisco Gonzalez, 59, and former boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, 26. All three were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder, and could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

A judge set bail at $2 million and ordered Gonzalez to have no contact with Avery or their daughter and to remain at least 100 yards away from both. Gonzalez did not enter a plea during Tuesday’s hearing.

Court filings accuse Gonzalez of repeatedly expressing a desire to kill Avery and recruiting Cordrey, who was her boyfriend at the time, to help arrange the killing between late 2020 and mid-2021.

The two discussed hiring a killer through the dark web, using cryptocurrency to fund the operation, and making Avery’s death appear accidental, according to investigators. Prosecutors allege Francisco Gonzalez financed part of the operation with a $10,000 payment in April 2021, which Cordrey later used to communicate with an alleged murder-for-hire website under the username “LizardKing69.”

Court filings state that by May 2021, Cordrey had identified Avery as the intended target, provided a Los Angeles address, and stated the killing could be carried out by whatever method was easiest. He later returned to Gonzalez’s father seeking additional funding after another payment was requested, according to investigators.

An undercover FBI agent communicating through the alleged murder-for-hire operation later posed as the hitman assigned to kill Avery, prosecutors say. According to the complaint, Cordrey allegedly discussed payment arrangements and proof of death with the undercover operative. Authorities also allege Francisco Gonzalez later contacted the operative using a password tied to the alleged transaction.

Under California law, conspiracy and solicitation charges can be filed even if a planned killing is never carried out, as long as actions were taken to commit the crime.

According to court filings tied to a restraining order request, Avery said the FBI informed him in 2021 that someone had allegedly been hired to kill him and warned that being around Gonzalez posed potential safety concerns. He said he continued visitation with their daughter because of concerns for her well-being.

Gonzalez’s arraignment was postponed after her attorney requested additional time to review the evidence. Separate custody and restraining order proceedings involving the couple’s daughter are continuing in family court.