Why Don’t We’s Jack Avery Speaks Out After Ex Charged for Hiring Hitman to Kill Him: ‘My Focus Is on Being the Best Father’

Why Don’t We singer Jack Avery is speaking out after his ex Gabriela Gonzalez, with whom he shares a daughter, was arrested and charged with trying to hire a hitman to kill him.

“A few days ago, three individuals were arrested in connection with an alleged plot to kill me. One of those individuals is the mother of my daughter,” his message posted to his Instagram account on Thursday (May 21) began.

“For years, my family and I have endured intense public scrutiny, false accusations, and deep painful attacks on our character and reputation. Throughout that time, I chose to remain silent out of respect for the legal process, and most importantly, for my daughter,” he continued.

“Right now, my focus is on being the best father I can be,” he added, noting that he is grateful to have sole custody of their child. Avery also said that the 7-year-old is safe and healthy.

He went on to thank his family, friends and law enforcement for their support, before concluding with, “Always seek the truth.”

His bandmates chimed in to show their support in the comments section of his post.

“no one even knows the half of everything you’ve endured. your strength is unbelievable brother,” Daniel Seavey wrote. love you so much.”

Jonah Marais kept it simple, writing only, “Love you,” while Corbyn Besson left three prayer hands emojis.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced in a press release on May 19 that Gonzalez, who is a social media influencer, had been arrested and charged along with her dad, Francisco Gonzalez, and former boyfriend Kai Cordery with a count each of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder.

“This is a case where the defendants are accused of going to great lengths to find someone to commit murder,” Nathan J. Hochman, L.A. County district attorney, said in a statement. “Most fathers raise their children to respect the law, but here we have a dad who allegedly helped his daughter and her boyfriend break the law in the most sinister way imaginable.”

The press release noted that Gabriela “was embroiled in a custody dispute” with Avery over their daughter, and that between “2020 and 2021, she is accused of seeking the assistance of her then-boyfriend Cordrey to hire someone on the dark web to kill Avery.”

According to the district attorney’s office, an undercover officer posed as a hitman, and that Cordery allegedly told the officer the musician was the intended target, “discussed payment and proof of death,” claimed Gabriela was the one who wanted the murder and that her dad — who allegedly gave Cordery $10,000 to find someone to commit the deed and pay — would offer up the funds.

The same day their arrest and charges were announced, Avery filed a restraining order against his ex, stating that he had been “notified by the FBI” about the plot to take his life.

If the three accused are convicted on their charges, they each face 25 years to life behind bars.