Jack Avery is breaking his silence after the mother of his daughter, TikTok star Gabbie Gonzalez, was arrested for allegedly conspiring with her father to have the boy band singer killed over their custody battle.
Avery, formerly of Why Don’t We fame, and 24-year-old Gonzalez share 7-year-old daughter Lavender.
“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,” Avery wrote in an Instagram statement Thursday. “For years, my family and I have endured intense public scrutiny, false accusations, and deeply painful attacks on our character and reputation.”
Avery said that, though he’d previously been “silent out of respect for the legal process” and for Lavender, he wanted to “express my sincere gratitude” to loved ones as well as law enforcement and his supporters.
“Right now, my focus is on being the best father I can be,” Avery continued, confirming he has sole custody of the little girl, “who is safe, healthy, and deeply loved. I look forward to continuing to build a peaceful and stable life for her.”
Avery also thanked those who have “withheld judgement while the truth unfolded,” and signed off with, “Always seek the truth.”
TMZ was first to report that Gonzalez had been arrested in Northern California earlier this month, and is now being held in Los Angeles for conspiracy to commit murder. Her father, Francisco, was taken into custody Monday in Florida on the same charges.
Avery told the “Zach Sang Show” podcast in September that he’d been notified by a pair of FBI agents that “someone hired someone to kill me,” though he couldn’t name anyone allegedly involved.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Gonzalez’s former nanny and roommate in 2021 notified authorities about the hit.