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45 Years Later: The Shocking Aftermath And Current Life Of Candy Montgomery After The Betty Gore Axe Murder Trial

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The 1980 axe murder of Betty Gore by her friend, Candace "Candy" Montgomery, remains one of the most sensational and perplexing true crime stories in American history. The sheer brutality of the crime—41 axe blows—combined with the shocking "not guilty" verdict based on a claim of self-defense, has kept the case in the public consciousness for decades. With the recent resurgence of interest driven by popular miniseries like *Love & Death* and *Candy*, the public curiosity about the two women at the center of the tragedy, and specifically where Candy Montgomery is now, has peaked once again, especially as we approach the end of 2025. This deep dive into the Betty Gore murder case provides the most current details, a complete biographical profile of both women, and an examination of the psychological defense that led to the controversial acquittal, offering a fresh perspective on the chilling events that unfolded in Wylie, Texas, on June 13, 1980. The story is a complex tapestry of suburban ennui, illicit affairs, and a violent confrontation that forever shattered the lives of two families.

Comprehensive Biographical Profile: Betty Gore and Candy Montgomery

The central figures in this tragic story were not strangers; they were friends, fellow churchgoers at the Lucas Methodist Church, and neighbors in the quiet community of Wylie, Texas. Their lives became inextricably linked by an affair and a brutal act of violence.

Betty Eileen Pomeroy Gore (Victim)

  • Full Name: Betty Eileen Pomeroy Gore
  • Born: January 9, 1950
  • Died: June 13, 1980 (Age 30)
  • Residence: Wylie, Texas
  • Family: Married to Allan Gore; Mother to two daughters, Alisa and Bethany.
  • Occupation: Elementary School Teacher
  • Relationship with Candy: Close friend and fellow member of the Methodist Church; their daughters often played together.
  • Cause of Death: Homicide by an axe, struck 41 times.

Candace "Candy" Lynn Wheeler Montgomery (Accused/Acquitted)

  • Full Name: Candace Lynn Wheeler Montgomery (often goes by Candy Montgomery)
  • Born: November 15, 1949 (Age 76 as of late 2025)
  • Residence: Formerly Wylie, Texas; currently believed to be in Georgia.
  • Family: Married to Pat Montgomery (separated/divorced in 1986); Mother of two children.
  • Occupation: Former housewife; currently reported to be working as a certified family counselor or mental health worker.
  • The Crime: Acquitted of the murder of Betty Gore on October 30, 1980, on the grounds of self-defense.
  • Current Status: Lives a private life, reportedly using her maiden name, Wheeler, to avoid public scrutiny.

The Affair and The Fatal Confrontation in Wylie, Texas

The seemingly perfect suburban lives of both the Gore and Montgomery families began to unravel with the start of an affair between Candy Montgomery and Betty's husband, Allan Gore. The affair, which began in 1978, was meticulously planned by Candy, who felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction and boredom in her own marriage to Pat Montgomery. The relationship between Candy and Allan was relatively brief and had ended months before the murder. However, the emotional damage remained. On the day of the murder, June 13, 1980, Candy went to the Gore home to pick up a swimsuit for Betty's daughter, Alisa, who was staying overnight at the Montgomery house. It was during this visit that Betty Gore confronted Candy about the affair with Allan, having recently learned the truth. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical struggle. According to Candy's testimony, Betty first wielded the axe, but Candy managed to wrestle it away. The defense argued that Betty had entered a state of "uncontrolled rage." The subsequent 41 blows with the axe, which left Betty Gore dead in the utility room, were argued to be a frenzied, necessary act of self-defense after Betty threatened to kill her.

The Shocking Self-Defense Plea and Acquittal

The trial that followed was a media sensation, focusing heavily on the psychological state of the killer. The defense team, led by Don Crowder, introduced a controversial psychological element to the case.

The Dissociation Defense

The key to the acquittal was the testimony of Dr. Fred Fason, a psychiatrist who interviewed Candy under hypnosis. Dr. Fason testified that during the struggle, Betty Gore shushed Candy, which triggered a traumatic memory from Candy's childhood involving her mother. This memory, according to the defense, caused Candy to enter a dissociative state, a "fugue state," where she was reliving the childhood trauma and was incapable of controlling her actions. The defense successfully argued that the brutal attack was not premeditated murder but a reaction driven by this dissociative episode, making the act one of self-defense against a perceived threat. The jury ultimately sided with the defense, finding Candy Montgomery "not guilty" of murder on October 30, 1980. The verdict sent shockwaves through the small community of Wylie and across the nation. Many people, including Betty Gore's family and friends, found it impossible to reconcile the self-defense claim with the sheer violence of the 41 axe blows. The case remains a textbook example of a successful and highly contentious use of a psychological defense in a murder trial.

Where is Candy Montgomery Now in 2025? The Current Status

Following the acquittal, Candy Montgomery attempted to disappear from the public eye, a goal that has largely been successful, though recent media attention has brought her back into the spotlight.

Life After the Trial

Immediately after the trial, Candy and her husband, Pat Montgomery, relocated their family from Wylie, Texas, to Georgia. The marriage, however, did not survive the trauma and public scrutiny of the trial and the affair, and the couple separated and divorced in 1986. As of late 2025, Candy Montgomery is 76 years old and is widely believed to still be living quietly in Georgia. Information suggests she underwent a career change, leveraging her experience and the public interest in psychology that the trial created. She reportedly became a certified family counselor or mental health worker, a profound and ironic shift for a woman who was at the center of a brutal family tragedy.

A Life of Anonymity

Candy has gone to great lengths to maintain her privacy, reportedly using her maiden name, Wheeler, to avoid the notoriety associated with the murder. Her exact location and current practice are not publicly disclosed, allowing her to live a life far removed from the sensational headlines of the 1980s. The continued interest in the case, fueled by docuseries and fictionalized accounts, ensures that the memory of the Betty Gore murder and the controversial acquittal of Candy Montgomery will continue to fascinate and disturb the public for years to come. The legacy of the case is a chilling reminder of how easily the veneer of suburban perfection can be shattered by secrets and rage.
betty gore and candy montgomery
betty gore and candy montgomery

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