On June 13, 1980, the small town of Wylie, Texas, was thrust into the national spotlight following a gruesome murder that shocked the community and the nation. Candy Montgomery confessed to killing her friend Betty Gore with an ax, claiming self-defence in a case that would unfold dramatically over the following months. The events leading up to the slaying involved a complicated web of relationships, infidelity, and ultimately, brutality.
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Candy and her husband Pat were, up until that fateful day, considered a typical suburban couple. They had been married in the early 1970s and, by 1977, had settled in Wylie with their two children. Candy, previously a secretary, became a homemaker but felt restless and unfulfilled, leading her to take up writing and engage deeply with their local Methodist Church, where she met Betty and Allan Gore.
The relationship between Candy and Allan Gore began to change after they met at a church volleyball game. What started as innocent flirtation escalated into a physical affair that began in December 1978 and lasted until 1979. However, on the day of the murder, Allan was out of town on business, and Betty was left home alone, leading to a tragic turn of events.
Allan became increasingly anxious when he could not reach Betty by phone and asked a neighbour to check on her. What the neighbour found was horrifying – the couple’s younger daughter was in her crib, and there was an overwhelming amount of blood in the house. Initially, authorities suspected a copycat murder inspired by a recent film, but the reality was far darker; Betty had been brutally slain by an ax wielded by someone she trusted.
In the wake of Betty’s death, suspicions quickly fell on Candy Montgomery. Although she initially maintained an alibi, inconsistencies in her story surfaced following Allan’s confession about their affair. Candy was arrested on June 26, 1980, and ultimately charged with murder. During her trial, she asserted her innocence, claiming that she acted in self-defence after an altercation with Betty.
Candy’s account of the events that led to Betty’s death was chilling. She testified that Betty confronted her about the affair, leading to a confrontation where Betty allegedly grabbed the ax. Candy claimed that, in a moment of fear and rage, she took the ax from Betty and struck her 41 times, asserting that she had not intended to kill her friend.
After a trial that captured the attention of many, Candy Montgomery was acquitted of murder on October 29, 1980. The verdict sparked significant public debate and outrage. While some viewed her actions as defensible, others found it difficult to comprehend how someone could take a life, particularly with such brutality.
In the aftermath of the trial, Allan Gore moved on with his life, remarrying shortly thereafter. This decision, however, created a rift with Betty’s family. Meanwhile, Betty’s parents took care of her daughters and ensured they were raised well despite the tragic circumstances. Today, the children are adults with fulfilling careers and families of their own.
Candy Montgomery and Pat eventually divorced and relocated to Georgia with their children. Following her divorce, Candy pursued a new path, deciding to return to education and train as a counsellor. Critics, however, found her decision puzzling, especially considering her past actions.
Today, she goes by her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, and remains a figure largely shrouded in mystery. Despite her past, very little is known about her day-to-day life since those tumultuous events. The dramatic twists of her life story have inspired subsequent portrayals in popular media, notably two miniseries that recount the crime and trial.
The case of Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore serves as a reminder of the complex emotions and relationships that can lead to violence, as well as the societal responses to such events, which continue to resonate even 46 years later.