HBO Max is sharing the chilling true tale of Candy Montgomery in its upcoming series, “Love & Death,” scheduled for release on April 27. Elizabeth Olsen plays the lead role, portraying Candy Montgomery, the notorious axe murderer who killed her neighbor Betty Gore, played by Lily Rabe.
The murder case unfolded in Wylie, Texas, in 1980, and it has inspired various shows over the years. To shed light on this true story, here’s a breakdown of Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore’s tragic tale.
Who is Candy Montgomery?
Candy Montgomery, as depicted in Texas Monthly articles titled “Love and Death in Silicon Prairie,” was initially seen as a “normal suburban housewife.” She was married to Pat Montgomery, and they had two children. In 1977, the Montgomery family moved to Wylie, where Candy lived in what she considered her dream house in the country.
While outwardly living a seemingly idyllic life, Candy found her marriage dull and sought something more. Candy and Betty Gore, another wife and mother in the Dallas suburbs, became close friends after meeting at a church service.
Who is Betty Gore?
Betty, married to Allan Gore, was a wife and mother living in the Dallas suburbs. In 1976, she took a teaching job, but her dissatisfaction with work led to strained relations with her husband. Despite these challenges, Betty decided to have a second child, meticulously planning the pregnancy to avoid taking time off from teaching.
The dynamics changed when Candy and Allan, Betty’s husband, grew close after a chance encounter at a church volleyball game in 1978.
Did Candy Montgomery and Allan Gore have an affair?
The affair between Candy and Allan began after they collided at a church volleyball game. Candy found Allan attractive, and after confessing her feelings, they began an affair in December 1978. The affair continued even after Betty gave birth in July 1979, leading to strained relationships in both families.
The affair eventually ended when Allan and Betty decided to work on their marriage in the summer of 1980.
What happened the night Betty Gore was murdered?
On June 13, 1980, while Allan was away on a business trip, he grew concerned when Betty didn’t answer calls. Candy, who was watching Betty and Allan’s daughter, assured Allan that Betty was fine. Later that night, a neighbor discovered Betty’s lifeless body in her home, murdered with an axe.
Allan informed Candy of Betty’s death, initiating a series of events that would later implicate Candy in the crime.
What crimes did Candy Montgomery commit?
Candy became the primary suspect in Betty’s murder. Despite initially having a solid alibi, Allan’s admission of the affair provided the police with a motive. Candy was arrested, charged with murder, and released on bail.
During her trial, Candy pleaded self-defense, claiming that Betty attacked her with an axe after learning about the affair. The struggle led Candy to hit Betty 41 times in an act of rage. Surprisingly, Candy was found not guilty, and she faced no jail time for Betty’s murder.
Where is Candy Montgomery now?
Candy has largely stayed out of the public eye since the trial. Reports suggest that she and Pat, her husband, moved to Georgia, where Candy worked as a certified family counselor. However, Candy and Pat reportedly separated shortly after the move.
In recounting this tragic tale, “Love & Death” aims to explore the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of a shocking crime on a small Texas town.
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