SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Court records reveal that the father of a well-known TikTok influencer has been apprehended in Central Florida this week, linked to a murder-for-hire plot involving a singer. This development adds a dramatic twist to an already complex case being closely followed by News 6.
At the heart of this investigation is Jack Avery, a singer and former member of the boy band “Why Don’t We.” The affidavit highlights that Avery is embroiled in a bitter custody dispute that has taken an alarming turn, according to information gathered by detectives.
TMZ reported on Tuesday that Gabbie Gonzalez, a prominent TikTok personality, is anticipated to face charges in a conspiracy allegedly targeting Avery’s life. The backdrop of this chilling plot is a custody battle over their 7-year-old daughter.
However, the story deepens with the involvement of Gonzalez’s father, Francisco Gonzalez, a 59-year-old attorney from Daytona Beach Shores. Witnesses have characterized Francisco as having a particularly antagonistic stance toward Avery, further fueling the ongoing feud.
In a startling statement captured in the affidavit, a witness recounted Francisco’s ominous remark suggesting that ending Avery’s life would be a more economical solution. This witness also described an intense fixation within the Gonzalez family on achieving full custody, to the extent of completely sidelining Avery from his daughter’s life.
Investigators said that Francisco Gonzalez had directed a private investigator to spy on Avery in Kauai and provide information on whether the singer was drinking, smoking, alone, or otherwise acting in a way that could be used against him in the custody dispute.”
While reviewing family group messages, investigators said they also found an exchange from March 2021 where Francisco Gonzalez reportedly wrote, “Call Barca… never too early…”
Investigators deemed this significant due to later evidence showing that Gabriela Gonzalez and the accused co-conspirator Kai Cordrey tried to recruit Dustin Barca to threaten Avery.
Yet another witness claimed that Gabriela Gonzalez had wanted Avery dead and even discussed hiring a hitman, with Francisco Gonzalez allegedly being the source of the money used in this effort.
“(The witness) further stated the intended killing was discussed as occurring in Los Angeles and being made to look like a car accident,” the affidavit continues.
Detectives said they learned that Francisco Gonzalez had paid Cordrey $10,000 under the guise of “web development payments,” though no such work was actually done. In addition, a supposed witness alleged that Francisco had paid around $10,000 for the hit job.
Furthermore, federal agents reviewed a call involving Francisco Gonzalez and an undercover agent posing as the killer, during which the suspect talked about verifying the target and arranging for payment upon completion, the affidavit reveals.
“The evidence establishes more than motive or family hostility,” the affidavit concludes. “Francisco Gonzalez is linked by witness statements, bank records, cover payments, coded communications, private-investigator activity, and direct undercover contact to an agreement and plan to kill Jack Avery.”
As a result of all the evidence, investigators said that Francisco Gonzalez now faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
A warrant was issued for his arrest out of California, though he was taken into custody on Monday afternoon at 1491 Lake George Drive in Lake Mary, deputies said. He is held without bond at the Seminole County jail, awaiting extradition.
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