Jack Avery Testifies He’s ‘Very Scared’ of Ex Accused of Murder Plot, Wins Sole Custody of Daughter

Jack Avery, known as a member of the pop group Why Don’t We, has secured sole physical custody of his seven-year-old daughter after a Los Angeles court hearing revealed disturbing details surrounding his former partner, Gabriela “Gabbie” Gonzalez. Avery, 27, was granted a five-year restraining order against Gonzalez, a TikTok influencer who faces criminal charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire scheme targeting him.

The family court ruling came after Avery testified about his fear for personal safety stemming from the accusations against Gonzalez. The judge overseeing the case, Brenda Comer Robinson, cited manipulative conduct by Gonzalez, who allegedly sought to emotionally harm Avery and undermine his parental rights. Testimony from Gonzalez’s previous boyfriend and his mother supported claims of deceptive text message alterations, falsification of COVID-19 test results, and disparagement of Avery in front of their daughter.

Despite the court’s findings of emotional harm and manipulation, Judge Robinson determined that supervised visitation remains appropriate for Gonzalez under existing criminal protective orders. The child was described as a direct victim of the conflict, but maintaining some level of parental contact was deemed in her best interest.

Gonzalez, 25, did not appear in court to testify and denies all charges, which include attempted murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder. The criminal allegations emerged after an FBI investigation revealed that Gonzalez, together with her father Francisco Gonzalez, a lawyer from Florida, and a former boyfriend, Kai Cordrey, allegedly conspired to hire a hitman via dark web channels to kill Avery.

Avery recounted how he was first approached by the FBI in 2021 with warnings about the investigation, which profoundly affected his mental health and complicated custody arrangements. He disclosed missing over two dozen scheduled visits with his daughter due to safety concerns and anxiety triggered by the ongoing threat. Avery described being advised by law enforcement to avoid travel to Hawaii for custody exchanges and recounted experiences of alleged stalking and harassment involving Gonzalez’s family members.

Prosecutors detail a plot spanning from late 2020 through mid-2021, in which Gonzalez and associates discussed plans to make Avery’s death appear accidental. Financial transactions using Bitcoin were traced to fund the scheme, including a $10,000 transfer by Francisco Gonzalez to Cordrey, who then communicated with an individual posing as a hitman. Subsequent undercover operations by the FBI recorded conversations confirming intent to carry out the murder and negotiations concerning payment and proof of death.

The evidence presented suggests that Gonzalez played a role in orchestrating the plan, with Cordrey acting as an intermediary. Defense attorneys for Gonzalez and the other accused have challenged the prosecution’s narrative, emphasizing a lack of direct evidence linking her to operational aspects of the murder plot. They argue that much of the case relies on statements from co-defendants seeking to shift responsibility and that a fair trial is needed to reveal the full truth.

The ongoing criminal proceedings carry potential sentences of up to 25 years to life in prison if convictions are secured. The next scheduled hearing for the case is set for November 18. Meanwhile, Avery’s custody victory marks a significant development in a complex legal battle intertwining family law and criminal charges.

This case highlights the rare intersection of celebrity custody disputes with serious criminal allegations, placing the well-being of a young child at the forefront amid extraordinary circumstances. Details remain limited as the criminal trial progresses, but the court's recent decision affirms Avery’s custodial rights while balancing supervised parental contact under strict protective measures.