7 Chilling Facts About The True Story Behind 'Love & Death' That Still Shock Audiences

The 2023 limited series Love & Death, which has recently found a massive new audience on streaming platforms, continues to captivate viewers with its dramatic retelling of one of the most infamous true-crime cases in American history. As of December 10, 2025, the fascination with the seemingly idyllic suburban life that concealed a brutal act of violence remains at an all-time high, prompting a deep dive into the real people and events that inspired the show. The narrative centers on a seemingly perfect churchgoing wife and mother whose secret affair led to a shocking and violent confrontation.

This biographical crime drama, starring Elizabeth Olsen, meticulously details the events leading up to the 1980 murder of Betty Gore by her friend, Candy Montgomery, in Wylie, Texas. The sheer brutality of the crime—an axe attack involving 41 blows—contrasted sharply with the killer's wholesome image, creating a sensational legal case that gripped the nation. Understanding the real-life figures is crucial to grasping the depth of this suburban tragedy and its enduring cultural impact.

The Key Figures: A Biographical Snapshot of the Real-Life Tragedy

The miniseries Love & Death is based on the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs, and a collection of articles from Texas Monthly. The story revolves around four main individuals whose lives were intertwined in the small community of Wylie, Texas.

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• Candace "Candy" Lynn Montgomery:
  • Role in Event: The accused and later acquitted killer of Betty Gore.
  • Background: A devoted wife, mother of two, and active member of the Methodist Church in Lucas, Texas.
  • Key Event: Began an affair with Allan Gore in 1978.
  • Current Status: Acquitted of murder in 1980. She and her husband Pat moved to Georgia shortly after the trial. She is now reported to be living a quiet life, possibly working as a family therapist.
• Betty Gore:
  • Role in Event: The victim of the 1980 axe murder.
  • Background: A schoolteacher, wife of Allan Gore, and mother of two daughters, Alisa and Bethany.
  • Key Event: Murdered in her home on June 13, 1980, after confronting Candy Montgomery about the affair.
• Allan Gore:
  • Role in Event: Husband of Betty Gore and the man with whom Candy Montgomery had an affair.
  • Background: A successful electrical engineer.
  • Key Event: Confessed to the affair to his wife Betty and ended it before her death. He was the one who discovered Betty's body.
  • Current Status: Remarried and relocated after the trial.
• Pat Montgomery:
  • Role in Event: Husband of Candy Montgomery.
  • Background: An electrical engineer at Texas Instruments.
  • Key Event: Stood by his wife throughout the murder trial.
  • Current Status: Divorced Candy a few years after the trial.

The Shocking Details of the Betty Gore Murder and Trial

The sheer number of wounds Betty Gore sustained—41 axe blows—is a detail that distinguishes this case and is accurately portrayed in the miniseries. The shocking nature of the murder, committed by a seemingly sweet and unassuming friend, is central to the lasting public interest.

The core of the true crime narrative is the confrontation that occurred on Friday, June 13, 1980. Candy Montgomery went to Betty Gore's house to pick up Betty's daughter, Alisa, for a sleepover. Betty confronted Candy about the affair with Allan. Candy's defense team claimed that Betty attacked Candy first with the three-foot-long axe after Candy admitted to the affair.

The defense argued that Candy killed Betty in an act of self-defense. Crucially, the defense introduced psychiatric testimony that suggested Candy suffered a "dissociative reaction" or "flashback" during the struggle, triggered by the sight of the axe. This testimony claimed the sight of the weapon brought back a traumatic memory from her childhood, causing her to lose control and strike Betty 41 times.

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The jury ultimately believed the self-defense plea. On October 30, 1980, Candy Montgomery was found not guilty of murder. The verdict caused an uproar in the community and across the nation, as many struggled to reconcile the brutal crime with the self-defense claim.

The Enduring Cultural Impact and Recent Streaming Success

The story of Candy Montgomery has seen a significant resurgence in popularity, largely due to two competing miniseries: Hulu’s Candy (2022) starring Jessica Biel, and Max’s (formerly HBO Max) Love & Death (2023) starring Elizabeth Olsen. The latter, in particular, has become a massive hit, proving the enduring public fascination with this complex true-crime narrative.

The miniseries' success on streaming platforms, including its recent availability on Netflix in some regions, has introduced the story to a new generation of true-crime enthusiasts. This renewed interest highlights several key themes that resonate with modern audiences, including the dark underbelly of suburban conformity, the complexities of extramarital affairs, and the controversial nature of the American legal system.

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The series is lauded for its meticulous period detail, capturing the late 1970s and early 1980s aesthetic of Wylie, Texas. The casting of Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery has also been a major draw, with critics praising her nuanced portrayal of the conflicted churchgoer.

The Aftermath: Where Are the Real-Life Figures Now?

Following the controversial acquittal, the lives of the surviving parties were irrevocably changed. The Montgomerys and the Gores attempted to move on, but the shadow of the murder remained long after the trial concluded. The intense media scrutiny and community judgment made a return to normal life impossible in Wylie.

Candy Montgomery: Shortly after the trial, Candy and Pat Montgomery moved to Georgia. They divorced a few years later. Reports suggest Candy may have pursued a career in family counseling or therapy, living a private life away from the public eye. Her decision to speak to her defense team about the traumatic childhood event that allegedly caused her dissociation was a pivotal moment in the trial's outcome.

Allan Gore: Allan Gore remarried and moved away from Texas. His daughters, Alisa and Bethany, were ultimately raised by Betty's parents, the Pomeroys, who sought to protect them from the relentless media attention. The trauma experienced by Betty's children, including the little girl abandoned at the crime scene for hours, is a heartbreaking, often-overlooked consequence of the tragedy.

The story of Love & Death is not just a tale of adultery and murder; it is a profound examination of how suppressed emotions, societal pressure, and a single, catastrophic confrontation can shatter the lives of multiple families in a quiet, religious community. The miniseries serves as a powerful reminder of the complexity and ambiguity that often lie beneath the surface of the most shocking true-crime headlines.

The enduring legacy of the Betty Gore murder case continues to spark debate about legal defenses, the nature of violence, and the true meaning of justice. The recent streaming success ensures that the chilling details of the Wylie, Texas tragedy will remain a subject of intense discussion and analysis for years to come.