Police Pose as They Arrest Woman Who Hired a Hitman to Target a Boy Band Member
The ex-girlfriend of a member of the boy band Why Don’t We has been charged with attempting to hire a hitman to kill her former partner, Jack Avery. The case stems from a custody dispute over their seven-year-old child.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Gabriela Gonzalez, 24, faces three counts: attempted murder, murder conspiracy, and solicitation of murder.
Her father, Francisco Gonzalez, 59, and her then-boyfriend, Kai Cordrey, 26, also face similar charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the defendants allegedly took steps to find someone willing to carry out the murder.
“This is a case in which the defendants are accused of going to great lengths to find someone to commit murder,” Hochman said in a press release cited by AP News, Saturday, 23 May 2026.
According to the investigation, Gabriela allegedly asked Cordrey for help between 2020 and 2021 to locate an executor via the dark web. In April 2021, Francisco is said to have wired a $10,000 upfront to Cordrey to fund the plan.
Two months later, Cordrey again sought a further $4,000 because the person believed to be the hitman demanded a higher payment.
However, the person they contacted turned out to be a law enforcement officer who was undercover.
In September 2021, the undercover officer spoke directly with Cordrey regarding the target, the payment, and evidence of Avery’s death.
Gabriela Gonzalez, who has more than 450,000 followers on Instagram, was held in a Los Angeles-area detention facility in custody on a $2 million bail on Thursday. Her lawyer, Elliot Zarabi, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Francisco Gonzalez was arrested in Florida and is awaiting extradition. He was detained in a Seminole County jail in Florida on Thursday. It is not clear whether he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf regarding the charges.
Los Angeles County jail records show Cordrey was arrested on Thursday. His bail was set at $2 million, according to a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office. Jail records do not show a lawyer for him.
If convicted, the three defendants face life in prison.
Separately, Jack Avery expressed gratitude to law enforcement via an Instagram post. He said his focus now is on being the best father to his daughter.
Why Don’t We, known for their 2018 debut album featuring the song “8 Letters,” have since disbanded, while Avery continues his solo career and released the single “XOXOX” this year.