Three Charged in Alleged Plot to Kill Boy Band Former Member Jack Avery
Three individuals have been charged in Los Angeles County in connection with an alleged plot to kill Jack Avery, a former member of the boy band Why Don't We. The charges were announced by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday.
The Charges
Gabriela Gonzalez (age 24), Francisco Gonzalez (age 59), and Kai Faron Cordrey (age 26) have each been charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of solicitation of murder.
The charges stem from an alleged plot that took place between 2020 and 2021. If convicted, each defendant faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
Key Allegations
According to the criminal complaint and prosecutors, the alleged plot centered on a custody dispute between Gabriela Gonzalez and Jack Avery involving their 7-year-old daughter.
- Involvement of Gabriela Gonzalez: Prosecutors allege that Gabriela Gonzalez sought help from her then-boyfriend, Kai Cordrey, to hire a hitman to kill Avery. She is accused of stating her desire for Avery to be killed.
- Involvement of Francisco Gonzalez: Gabriela Gonzalez's father, Francisco Gonzalez, is alleged to have paid Cordrey to facilitate the plot. According to court documents, he sent Cordrey $14,000 in two payments: $10,000 in April 2021 and an additional $4,000 two months later.
- Involvement of Kai Cordrey: Cordrey is alleged to have communicated with an individual on the dark web, using the alias "LizardKing69," whom he believed to be an assassin. In September 2021, Cordrey allegedly communicated with an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman. During these communications, Cordrey is alleged to have identified Avery as the target and discussed payment and proof of death.
Status of the Defendants
- Gabriela Gonzalez: She was arrested last week and is being held in a Los Angeles-area detention facility on a $2 million bond. Her attorney, Elliot Zarabi, has declined to comment on the case.
- Francisco Gonzalez: He was arrested in Florida and is awaiting extradition to California. Court records do not yet list an attorney for him.
- Kai Cordrey: He was arrested and is also being held on a $2 million bail. His legal representation is not yet listed in court records.
Background
- Gabriela Gonzalez is a social media influencer with approximately 473,000 followers on Instagram and a presence on TikTok.
- Francisco Gonzalez is a Miami-based attorney specializing in international cases at the firm Shahady & Wurtenberger.
- Jack Avery is a former member of the boy band Why Don't We, which released multiple albums in the late 2010s. He is currently pursuing a solo music career.
Response from Jack Avery
In a social media post on Thursday, Jack Avery thanked prosecutors and law enforcement for their work on the case. He stated that his focus is on being a father to his 7-year-old daughter.