SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The father of a TikTok star was arrested in Central Florida this week as part of a murder-for-hire case against her, according to court records obtained by News 6.
In an affidavit, detectives said that the arrest stems from an investigation involving singer Jack Avery, a member of the former boy band “Why Don’t We.”
According to TMZ on Tuesday, TikTok influencer Gabbie Gonzalez is expected to be charged in an alleged conspiracy to kill Avery amid a custody battle over their 7-year-old daughter.
However, court records reveal that her father — lawyer Francisco Gonzalez, 59, of Daytona Beach Shores — was also invested in the dispute and was described by witnesses as “hostile” toward Avery.
“According to (one witness), Francisco stated words to the effect that it would be cheaper if Avery were dead,” the affidavit reads. “(The witness) described the Gonzalez family as obsessed with obtaining full custody and excluding 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.