What Happened to Candy Montgomery? Where is She Now?
by Tamilchandran | Updated Apr 28, 2023
Who is Candy Montgomery?
Nearly 42 years after it first aired, the television show "Love & Death" about Candy Montgomery continues to intrigue viewers. The series is inspired by the true account of Candy Montgomery, a housewife from Wylie, Texas, who was charged with brutally murdering her friend Betty Gore with an axe in 1980. Candy Montgomery, a devoted and selfless woman, made quite a sensation in her Dallas neighborhood on Friday, June 13, 1980, when she was detained for murdering her friend Betty Gore with 41 blows from an axe.
Former Wylie, Texas resident Candy Montgomery rose to national prominence in 1980 when she used an axe to murder her friend Betty Gore. Montgomery, a 30-year-old housewife, and mother of two who was well-known in the neighborhood for her involvement in the church and neighborhood social circles, was killed. Due to the case's dramatic nature and the fact that Montgomery and Gore seemed to be good friends before the murder, there was a lot of media interest in it.
What Happened to Candy Montgomery?
Candy claimed that she was forced to use an axe because Gore had just tried to strike her with the same tool. Prior to the trial, Montgomery underwent a polygraph examination, which revealed that she was telling the truth. Tom O'Connell, the district attorney, contended that Montgomery could have left the area without attacking Gore. He added that it was excessive to attack 41 times. In 1981, Candy Montgomery was put on trial for murder.
The trial was widely covered by the media and was well-publicized. She was exonerated on the grounds of self-defense and was allowed to leave the courtroom. In order to avoid further attention after the trial, Montgomery and her family left Wylie, Texas, and changed their identities. Since then, she has maintained a low profile and has generally avoided the spotlight. The community was extremely critical of the decision.
"Murderer! Murderer!" was shouted by the public as Montgomery left the courthouse after being found not guilty. Bob Pomeroy, the victim's father, said: As far as I'm concerned, justice will be served. She has to live with it ... I wouldn't say I was happy with the verdict. We don't know what happened and we never will know what happened.
Where is Candy Montgomery Now?
Candy Montogomery, her husband Pat, and their kids left Texas in 1980 and relocated to Georgia as a result of the trial. Four years after the divorce, Candy took on her maiden name Candace Wheeler. Ironically, she later went on to work as a mental health counselor, according to Newsweek. She continues to reside in Georgia and still goes by the name Candace Wheeler. Candy, a Hulu series starring Jessica Beil, made an effort to get in touch with the character to hear her side of the story.
When Montgomery showed no interest, the actress spoke with Robert Udashen, one of her solicitors. Candy Montgomery has kept a low profile, so nobody knows for sure where she is, but rumors claim she is 73 and a therapist.
Who did Candy Montgomery Kill?
Candy Montgomery killed her best friend Betty Gore on June 13, 1980, in Gore's home in Wylie, Texas. Montgomery used an axe to attack Gore, who sustained multiple fatal blows to the head and body. The murder was a shocking and brutal crime that rocked the small town and gained national media attention. Montgomery was charged with murder and went to trial the following year. Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, including her own confession, Montgomery was acquitted by a jury who found her not guilty by reason of self-defense.
How did Candy Montgomery get Caught?
Apparently, Candy Montgomery cleaned herself off with blood in the victim's home before departing to go about her daily activities. She testified while on the stand during her trial that she had a shower at the Gore residence before leaving while Betty's infant was still upstairs, crying in the crib. After changing into fresh clothes at home, she headed to the church to attend Bible school with her kids and Gores' elder daughter before having lunch with friends.
Montgomery also discarded the remains of the footwear she was wearing when she murdered Gore. The Wylie, Texas, neighborhood was in a frenzy following Gore's murder. Candy Montgomery, who identified herself as Betty's best friend, ruthlessly murdered Betty with 41 axe strokes. Montgomery was not first thought to be a suspect in the horrific murder investigation. But once Betty's husband informed the authorities about his illicit liaison that occurred behind the victim's back, they quickly identified her as the main suspect.
Both of them met at motels. However, their relationship ended when the Gores welcomed their second child. In front of a confused mob of citizens, Montgomery swiftly turned himself into the police. Ultimately, an autopsy determined that Betty had been hacked 41 times. Candy Montgomery tried her best to clean up the blood-stained murder scene, but she was unable to.
Candy Montgomery's True Story
The motive for Candy Montgomery's murder of her friend Betty Gore is not entirely clear. The two women had been close friends, and there was no apparent history of conflict between them prior to the murder. During the trial, Montgomery claimed that she had killed Gore in self-defense, saying that Gore had attacked her with a knife during an argument. However, the prosecution argued that Montgomery had premeditated the murder, citing evidence such as the fact that she had brought the axe to Gore's house.
Some have speculated that the murder may have been motivated by jealousy or a love triangle. Montgomery had been having an affair with Gore's husband, Allan Gore, and some have suggested that the murder may have been an act of revenge against Betty Gore for interfering in their relationship. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory, and Montgomery has never spoken publicly about her motives for the crime.
Did Candy Montgomery Serve Time?
No, Candy Montgomery did not serve time in prison for the murder of Betty Gore. Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, including her own confession, Montgomery was acquitted by a jury who found her not guilty by reason of self-defense in 1981. After the trial, Montgomery and her family moved away from Wylie, Texas, and changed their names to avoid further attention. She has largely stayed out of the public eye since then, and her current whereabouts are unknown to the public.
What Happened to Candy Montgomery - FAQs
Candy is a mental health counselor who resides and works in Georgia.
Candy and Pat remained married after the trial, moving to Georgia, but got divorced four years later. Under her maiden name of Wheeler, she is said to still be residing there.
Pat Montgomery now goes by the name "James" and has a tranquil life.
With a domestic partner, Allen Gore currently resides in Sarasota, Florida. His wife Betty's parents reared his children Alisa and Bethany instead of him.
Montgomery was married to Pat Montgomery, an electrical engineer, and was 30 years old at the time of the occurrence. Son and daughter were the two offspring of the couple.