Candy Montgomery now lives quietly in Georgia after her shocking 1980 acquittal in the Betty Gore murder case. Netflix’s Love & Death miniseries has reignited worldwide interest in this unbelievable true crime story. The killer who was set free is living a completely different life today, far from the Wylie, Texas house where the tragedy occurred.
🔥 Quick Facts
- June 13, 1980: Candy Montgomery killed Betty Gore with 41 axe blows in Wylie, Texas
- October 29, 1980: Jury acquitted Montgomery after just three hours of deliberation
- 2010: Montgomery and husband Pat relocated to Georgia, where she works as a family counselor
- December 2025: Netflix’s Love & Death starring Elizabeth Olsen brings the case to millions of viewers
Where Candy Montgomery Lives Today in 2025
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Candy Montgomery is believed to currently reside in Georgia, where she has lived since the early 1980s following her acquittal. According to multiple sources, Montgomery uses her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, and keeps an intentionally low profile away from media scrutiny. She separated from her husband Pat Montgomery years later, though exact details remain private.
The killer left her infamously haunting home in Wylie, Texas, shortly after her trial ended. Her family escaped to Georgia, where her parents lived, seeking a fresh start. For decades, Montgomery has maintained her privacy while working as a certified family counselor and mental health worker. Now in her mid-70s, she continues to live quietly in the southern state, far removed from the darkness of her criminal past.
The Shocking 1980 Murder That Changed Betty Gore Forever
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On Friday, June 13, 1980, Betty Gore was killed in her Wylie, Texas home during a brutal confrontation with her friend and church member, Candy Montgomery. Betty was only 30 years old when Montgomery struck her with a wood-splitting axe a devastating 41 times. The killing occurred after Betty discovered her husband Allan Gore’s affair with Montgomery.
The crime shocked the quiet suburban Texas community. Betty was a schoolteacher, a devoted mother, and appeared to have the perfect life. Montgomery, also seemingly ordinary, had been having a secret affair with Betty’s husband Allan for months. When the confrontation happened, something horrific unfolded in the Gore family’s home. The violence was so extreme that investigators initially doubted Montgomery could have possessed the physical strength to deliver such attacks, given her smaller stature compared to Betty.
| Detail | Information |
| Victim | Betty Gore, Age 30, Schoolteacher |
| Date of Crime | June 13, 1980 (Friday the 13th) |
| Location | Wylie, Texas Home |
| Weapon | Wood-Splitting Axe (41 blows) |
| Motive | Affair between Montgomery and Betty’s husband Allan |
Elizabeth Olsen Portrays the Killer in Netflix’s Controversial New Series
Elizabeth Olsen (from WandaVision) plays Candy Montgomery in Netflix’s newly released Love & Death miniseries, streaming now in December 2025. The limited series also features Jesse Plemons as Allan Gore and Lily Rabe as the victim, Betty Gore. The show is created by the legendary David E. Kelley and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lesli Linka Glatter.
The Netflix production captures the mundane reality of suburban Texas life in the 1980s, where a ordinary housewife with a seemingly perfect marriage committed one of the most shocking crimes in state history. The series closely follows the 1980 trial and the jury’s stunning decision to acquit Montgomery despite overwhelming evidence. Olsen delivers a nuanced performance that explores how an ordinary person could perform such an extraordinary act of violence.
“Love & Death tactfully explores the boredom and ennui of suburbia during the 70s and 80s, particularly felt by women.”
— US Magazine, Entertainment Review
The Controversial Acquittal That Shocked America in October 1980
On October 29, 1980, after just three hours of jury deliberation, Candy Montgomery was acquitted of murder. The verdict shocked the nation. Despite Montgomery admitting to the killing, the jury found her not guilty of the crime. Her defense team argued that she acted in self-defense during a physical altercation with Betty Gore. The jury accepted this argument, and Montgomery walked free.
Montgomery pleaded not guilty to the charges and took the stand herself during the trial, recounting her version of events. She claimed the confrontation between her and Betty became physical, and she grabbed the axe in self-defense. After her acquittal, Montgomery and her family left Texas for Georgia, where they attempted to rebuild their lives away from the media glare and public judgment. This controversial decision remains one of the most debated jury verdicts in Texas legal history, establishing a precedent that continues to be discussed in criminal law courses today.
Could Candy Montgomery’s 2025 Location Change as Netflix’s Love & Death Gains Global Attention?
With Netflix’s Love & Death becoming a streaming phenomenon in December 2025, many are asking whether Candy Montgomery will maintain her Georgia privacy or if renewed media attention will force another relocation. Her current location remains unconfirmed by official sources, though multiple credible reports suggest Georgia. The true crime genre continues to fuel public fascination with historical cases, and Montgomery’s story fits the era perfectly.
Montgomery has spent over 40 years avoiding the spotlight since her acquittal. She has intentionally kept her life private while working in mental health counseling, reportedly becoming a certified family counselor. With the Netflix series now available globally, the killer’s whereabouts could become a topic of renewed public interest. Whether she remains in Georgia or seeks further anonymity remains to be seen as the streaming series reaches millions of viewers worldwide who want to understand how a suburban housewife committed such a horrific crime and walked free.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.