Woman, father, and ex-boyfriend charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot tied to custody dispute
Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, her father Francisco Gonzalez, and her former boyfriend Kai Faron Codrey have been charged in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Jack Avery, the father of Gonzalez’s 7-year-old daughter. The plot, which authorities say unfolded between 2020 and 2022, emerged from a contentious custody dispute. Prosecutors allege that the group attempted to hire a hitman via the dark web, with Francisco Gonzalez allegedly providing tens of thousands of dollars disguised as web-development payments. Communications were intercepted by an undercover agent. If convicted, the three face 25 years to life in prison.
Both sources report the same core event but differ in depth, framing, and tone. Fox News offers a more complete, legally grounded account, while Fox News adopts a sensationalized, entertainment-oriented approach.
- ✓ Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, her father Francisco Gonzalez, and her then-boyfriend Kai Faron Codrey are charged in a murder-for-hire plot.
- ✓ The alleged target is Jack Avery, former member of the boy band 'Why Don’t We' and father of Gabriela’s 7-year-old daughter.
- ✓ The plot allegedly occurred between 2020 and 2022 amid an ongoing custody dispute.
- ✓ Authorities intercepted communications via an undercover agent posing as a hitman.
- ✓ Francisco Gonzalez is a Florida-based attorney; Gabriela is a social media influencer.
- ✓ Kai Faron Codrey allegedly facilitated contact with the hitman through the dark web.
- ✓ The suspects face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Financial details of the alleged payments
States Francisco sent approximately $10,000 in April 2021, with an additional $4,000 sought later
Method of payment and concealment
Specifies payments were disguised as 'web-development payments' and involved cryptocurrency (Gemini account)
Duration and timeline of the conspiracy
Extends timeline to 2022
Contextual framing of custody battle
Details that the family portrayed Avery as 'unfit, dangerous, or harmful' in court and used these claims to justify removing him
Naming of the child
Names child as Lavender A.
Tone and style
Formal, avoids promotional language, focuses on legal narrative
Fox News
Framing: Sensationalized true crime narrative with emphasis on internet celebrity and familial betrayal
Tone: Informal, tabloid-style, with editorial commentary and promotional asides
Sensationalism: Headline uses emotionally charged terms like 'influencer', 'lawyer father', 'baby daddy', and 'murder-for-hire' to attract attention
"Influencer and her lawyer father arrested for alleged murder-for-hire plot involving her baby daddy"
Loaded Language: Use of phrases like 'so much for a quiet life as a popular TikTok influencer' adds editorial judgment and irony
"So much for a quiet life as a popular TikTok influencer."
Omission: Fails to name the child or mention the duration of the alleged conspiracy beyond a vague timeframe; does not detail court proceedings or specific accusations made in family court
"The love story gone wrong produced a 7-year-old daughter who became the center of a custody battle described as 'heated and tense.'"
Appeal to Emotion: References to 'baby daddy' and '7-year-old daughter' evoke familial drama and moral judgment
"her ex-boyfriend and father of her 7-year-old daughter"
Narrative Framing: Presents the story as a 'love story gone wrong' rather than focusing on legal or procedural details
"The love story gone wrong produced a 7-year-old daughter..."
Editorializing: Inserts promotional content and unrelated commentary ('ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH...') that distracts from news reporting
"ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!"
Vague Attribution: Uses 'reports FOX 13' without specifying whether the outlet is the original source of the arrest details
"reports FOX 13"
Fox News
Framing: Legal and procedural focus with contextual emphasis on custody battle and digital aspects of the crime
Tone: More formal and journalistic, with an emphasis on prosecutorial narrative and timeline
Balanced Reporting: Identifies all parties by full names and roles, including the child's name (Lavender A.), providing clarity
"father of Gonzalez’s 7-year-old daughter, Lavender A."
Proper Attribution: Clearly cites 'Los Angeles County prosecutors' and 'the criminal complaint' as sources of information
"Los Angeles County prosecutors announced charges this week..."
Comprehensive Sourcing: References specific financial transactions, use of cryptocurrency, and timeline (2020–2022)
"Francisco Gonzalez sent Cordrey approximately $10,000 in April 2021 disguised as 'web-development payments'"
Framing by Emphasis: Highlights the dark web and Bitcoin usage, framing the case as technologically sophisticated
"Gonzalez and her former boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, are accused of trying to hire a hitman on the dark web"
Cherry-Picking: Focuses on prosecutorial allegations without including potential defense perspectives or questioning evidence
"Prosecutors allege Gonzalez and Francisco Gonzalez used accusations... to encourage or justify efforts to remove Jack Avery"
Narrative Framing: Presents the case as a 'yearslong custody battle that spiraled into a murder-for-hire conspiracy', emphasizing cause-and-effect
"what prosecutors say was a yearslong custody battle that spiraled into a murder-for-hire conspiracy"
Fox News
Provides more detailed timeline, financial mechanisms, prosecutorial context, and names the child. Includes specific legal framing and digital aspects of the crime.
Fox News
Covers core event but lacks specificity on financial transactions, timeline, and legal context. Includes distracting promotional content.
Influencer mom, lawyer dad accused of dark-web murder plot against boy-band baby daddy
Influencer and her lawyer father arrested for alleged murder-for-hire plot involving her baby daddy