Gabbie Gonzalez’s Father Arrested in Dark Web Hitman Plot Target Jack Avery — The 1 Cryptic Code Word That Blew the Case Open
- Rajveer Singh
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
While fans are scrambling to scrub through years of the couple's old vlogs for warning signs, federal and local court affidavits reveal a chilling, multi-year dark web operation that imploded because of an undercover trap and one highly specific banking trail.
Gabbie Gonzalez & Dad Murder-for-Hire Plot Explained
The arrests of Gabbie Gonzalez and her father, Francisco Gonzalez, stem from an intensive multi-agency investigation revealing they allegedly attempted to recruit a contract killer through the dark web to execute Jack Avery. Driven by an increasingly toxic, years-long child custody and visitation battle, the duo allegedly plotted to stage Avery’s death as a fatal car accident in Los Angeles. The entire scheme unraveled when the "hitman" they were negotiating with online turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.
What Actually Happened: The Full Timeline
The public scandal erupted on May 19, 2026, when Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman officially announced the felony complaints against Gabbie Gonzalez (24), Francisco Gonzalez (59), and Gabbie's former boyfriend Kai Cordrey (26). Gabbie was apprehended by law enforcement in Northern California, while her father was arrested by deputies in Seminole County, Florida, where he did not fight extradition to California.
The Hawaii Shadowing Campaign
The blueprint for the conspiracy dates back to the pandemic era in 2021. According to the unsealed arrest affidavit, Francisco Gonzalez—a prominent civil attorney specializing in wrongful death and medical malpractice—initially hired a private investigator to track Avery across Kauai, Hawaii. The goal was to capture footage of the singer smoking, drinking, or being left alone with his daughter to use as leverage in family court.
When structural legal avenues failed to secure sole custody, the family’s strategy turned explicitly lethal. The affidavit details a witness statement claiming Francisco openly declared in family group chats that "it would be cheaper if Avery were dead."
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| THE DARK WEB HITMAN TIMELINE (2021-2026) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| EARLY 2021 | MARCH-APRIL 2021 |
| - PI tracks Avery in Hawaii. | - "Bullrun" code activated. |
| - Custody battle turns hostile. | - $10,000 wire sent via BTC. |
|------------------------------------+----------------------------------|
| JUNE 2021 | MAY 2026 |
| - Dark web admin demands $4,000. | - FBI intercepts operations. |
| - Undercover FBI sting secures tape| - Co-conspirators jailed in LA. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
The "Bullrun" Paper Trail
The operation transitioned to the dark web between March and April of 2021. Gabbie and her then-boyfriend, Kai Cordrey, utilized a notorious murder-for-hire marketplace, establishing contact with an administrator to execute the hit in North Hollywood. To fund the transaction, Francisco Gonzalez wired a $10,000 down payment to Cordrey.
To mask the transfer from financial auditors, the attorney documented the payment as a business expense for "web development services." Detectives flag this transaction as the core physical evidence, noting that Cordrey never performed a single hour of technical work. Once the funds cleared, Francisco used the cryptic code word “Bullrun” in text communications to signal that the budget was secured and the contract was officially live.
Why This Matters: The Aftermath for Jack Avery and Daughter
This case has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry due to the terrifying level of calculation involved. Appearing on the Zach Sang Show, Jack Avery previously hinted at the severe psychological trauma of the situation, revealing that the FBI randomly appeared at his home years ago to inform him an active bounty was placed on his head. Avery recounted locking himself inside his North Hollywood residence for an entire month straight, constantly looking out his windows in absolute terror.
The structural fallout since the May 2026 arrests has been immediate:
Emergency Custody Intervention: Immediately following Gabbie Gonzalez's arrest in Northern California, local child protective services removed their 7-year-old daughter, Lavender, placing her briefly with a local foster family.
Avery's Rescue: Upon receiving notification from an LAPD detective, Avery flew out immediately, driving hours into Northern California to reclaim physical custody of his daughter.
Restraining Orders Filed: Avery's legal team has officially filed an emergency domestic violence restraining order in Los Angeles, seeking permanent, absolute sole legal and physical custody. The filing cites ongoing safety concerns, claiming the extended Gonzalez family has subjected him to a barrage of hostile texts since the jailings.
If convicted on all counts of conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder, Gabbie, her father, and Cordrey face a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in California state prison.
Quick Facts
Defendants: Gabriela "Gabbie" Gonzalez, Francisco Gonzalez, Kai Cordrey
Target: Jack Avery (Singer, formerly of Why Don't We)
Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Solicitation of Murder
Bail Recommendation: $2,000,000 each
Investigation Agencies: FBI, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Status: In Custody / Awaiting Trial (May 2026 Current Era)
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the hitman plot actually result in an attack on Jack Avery?
No. While the co-conspirators successfully paid thousands of dollars in Bitcoin and arranged for the murder to look like a staged car accident in Los Angeles, their primary dark web point of contact was intercepted by an undercover federal agent. Avery was placed under protective surveillance and was never physically harmed.
Where is Gabbie and Jack Avery's daughter now?
Their 7-year-old daughter, Lavender, is safely in the physical custody of her father, Jack Avery. Following Gabbie's arrest, the child was briefly placed in temporary foster care before Avery flew to California to legally retrieve her.
How did the police find out about Francisco Gonzalez's involvement?
Investigators discovered his involvement by analyzing family group messages dating back to 2021, tracking a fraudulent $10,000 "web development" wire transfer, and recording a encrypted phone call where Francisco used coded language with an undercover FBI agent to verify payment conditions.
What band was Jack Avery in?
Jack Avery rose to global fame as a prominent member of the five-piece American pop boy band Why Don't We. The group, formed in 2016, achieved massive success with multiple Billboard hits before going on an official hiatus amid complex internal management legal battles