Surf Coach, Instagram Influencer, And Lawyer All Charged In Plot To Murder Ex-Boy Band Member
…with a hitman they found on the Dark Web
*insert cliche quote about truth being stranger than fiction*
This story feels like it would fit better in a GTA subplot, but here I am, dropping it into the ‘Elsewhere’ section of stabmag.com.
Two days ago, the LA Times reported that Instagram Influencer Gabriela Gonzalez, her father Francisco, and Hawaii based surf instructor Kai Cordrey are being charged with attempting to hire a hitman to kill Gabriela’s ex-partner Jack Avery (who was once the member of a boy band).
Francisco Gonzalez was arrested in Florida and is awaiting extradition to California this week, according to officials. Surf coach Cordrey has yet to be detained. If convicted, the trio could face up to 25 years to life in state prison.
Per the LA Times:
“Francisco Gonzalez, his daughter, Gabriela, and Kai Cordrey were all charged Tuesday with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and solicitation to commit murder, according to the complaint made public Tuesday. The target of the alleged plot was Jack Avery, who was once a member of L.A.-based boy band Why Don’t We, court records show.
“Gabriela Gonzalez, 25, and Avery have a 7-year-old daughter together, and were involved in a custody dispute, according to court filings. Around the same time in 2021, the complaint says, her lawyer father began texting Cordrey, a Hawaii-based surf instructor who was Gabriela Gonzalez’s new partner. Francisco Gonzalez, 59, allegedly told Cordrey, 26, to recruit someone to threaten or harass Avery, according to the complaint. They settled on Dustin Barca, a retired MMA fighter living in Maui, court records show. The criminal complaint did not accuse Barca of any wrongdoing. He did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday.”
“Cordrey and Gabriela Gonzalez then turned to the dark web. Under the alias “LizardKing69,” Cordrey began communicating with someone he believed to be an assassin, according to the complaint. Francisco Gonzalez sent Cordrey a total of $14,000 to hire the hit man, which Cordrey then paid through the dark web account, according to the criminal complaint.
“Within months, Cordrey and Francisco Gonzalez found themselves communicating with an undercover FBI agent posing as the hit man. At one point, Cordrey told the undercover agent that “Jack Avery’s ex-girlfriend” wanted the job done and that her father could cover all expenses, according to the complaint.”
Avery issued a statement Thursday on Instagram acknowledging the arrests and thanking law enforcement for their work on the case.”
As you might expect, Gabriela’s socials have been littered with comments ranging from “girl how is your bio “lover of life” when you put out a hit” to “Anyone else waiting for the new and improved prison content??”
Kai’s Instagram is private and has over 9,300 followers. He also has another account, @thehapaplumber, which is receiving similar commentary.
We’re doing some more research. Keep you posted.
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