45 Years Later: Where Is Candy Montgomery Now? The Shocking True Story Of The Texas Axe Murderer

The name Candy Montgomery has become synonymous with one of the most sensational and chilling true-crime cases in American history, an infamous event that continues to captivate the public nearly 45 years after it occurred. As of late 2024 and early 2025, public interest in the former Texas housewife has surged once again, largely due to high-profile miniseries like Hulu's *Candy* (2022) and HBO Max's *Love & Death* (2023), which have brought the brutal 1980 axe murder of Betty Gore back into the spotlight. The core of the enduring fascination lies not just in the violence of the crime—Betty Gore was struck 41 times with a wood-splitting axe—but in the shocking verdict that followed: an acquittal based on a plea of self-defense.

The story of Candy Montgomery is a complex tapestry of suburban conformity, a secret illicit affair, and a sudden, deadly explosion of violence that shattered the tranquility of Wylie, Texas. For those seeking the most current information, the question remains: after being found not guilty, what became of Candace Lynn Montgomery, and where does she live today?

Candace Lynn Montgomery: A Complete Biography and Case Profile

The life of Candace Lynn Montgomery, before and after the 1980 trial, is a story of dramatic shifts, from a seemingly perfect suburban life to a figure of national notoriety, and finally, to a life of quiet anonymity.

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• Full Name: Candace Lynn Wheeler (Maiden Name); Candace Lynn Montgomery (Married Name)
• Date of Birth: November 15, 1949
• Place of Birth: Texas, USA
• Husband: Pat Montgomery (Divorced after the trial)
• Children: Two (a son and a daughter)
• Residence at Time of Crime: Wylie, Collin County, Texas
• Victim: Betty Gore (Wife of her lover, Allan Gore)
• Date of Murder: June 13, 1980
• Weapon: A wood-splitting axe
• Charge: Murder
• Verdict: Not Guilty (Acquitted on October 29, 1980)
• Current Status: Reportedly living in Georgia under her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, working as a mental health therapist or family counselor.

The Chilling Details of the Betty Gore Axe Murder and Trial

The events leading up to the murder of Betty Gore and the subsequent trial are the elements that cement the case in true-crime lore. Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore were friends and fellow churchgoers at the Lucas Methodist Church, both living in the quiet community of Wylie, Texas, where their husbands, Pat Montgomery and Allan Gore, also worked together.

The Illicit Affair and Fatal Confrontation

The tragedy began with an affair between Candy Montgomery and Allan Gore. The two had met at a church volleyball game and began a secretive relationship that lasted several months. Allan Gore ended the affair in 1979 in an attempt to reconcile with his wife, Betty.

On the morning of Friday, June 13, 1980, Candy went to the Gore home to pick up a swimsuit for Betty's daughter, who was staying at the Montgomerys' house. It was during this visit that Betty Gore allegedly confronted Candy about the affair. According to Candy’s testimony, Betty retrieved a three-foot axe from the garage and threatened her.

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A struggle ensued over the weapon. Candy testified that Betty told her, "I don't want to hurt you, but I've got to kill you." Candy claimed that during the ensuing fight, she managed to gain control of the axe.

The Shocking Self-Defense Plea and Acquittal

The most controversial aspect of the entire case was the murder itself and the subsequent trial strategy. Betty Gore was struck 41 times with the axe, an overwhelming number that defense attorney Don Crowder had to explain to the jury.

The defense team successfully argued a plea of self-defense. To support this, they brought in psychiatrist Dr. Fred Fason, who testified that Candy had experienced a "dissociative reaction" during the struggle. This reaction was allegedly triggered by the sight of blood and a childhood trauma related to her mother's reaction to an injury. The psychiatrist claimed that the trauma caused her to lose control and continue striking Betty far beyond what was necessary for self-defense.

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The jury, composed of three men and nine women, ultimately accepted the self-defense argument. On October 29, 1980, after only a few hours of deliberation, Candy Montgomery was found not guilty of murder. This verdict sparked immediate public outrage and remains a hotly debated topic in the true-crime community today, with many critics arguing that 41 blows cannot be reasonably classified as self-defense.

Where is Candace Wheeler Now? Her Life After the Trial (2025 Update)

In the immediate aftermath of the acquittal, the Montgomery family faced intense scrutiny and public backlash. The decision to leave Texas was swift and necessary to escape the media frenzy and the judgment of their community.

Relocation and New Identity

Within three months of the trial's conclusion, Candy and Pat Montgomery moved with their children to Georgia. This move marked the beginning of their attempt to restart their lives away from the spotlight.

However, the marriage did not survive the trauma and public pressure of the trial. Candy and Pat divorced approximately four years after relocating to Georgia.

To further distance herself from her infamous past, Candy Montgomery reverted to using her maiden name, Candace Wheeler. This change of identity has been instrumental in allowing her to maintain a low profile.

A Career in Mental Health

The most recent and consistent information, confirmed by multiple sources and brought to light by the recent television adaptations, is that Candace Wheeler pursued a career in counseling. She reportedly returned to school and became a certified family counselor or mental health therapist.

As of the most recent updates in 2024 and 2025, Candace Wheeler reportedly continues to reside in Georgia, living a private life shielded by time and discretion. She has successfully stayed out of the public eye for decades, only resurfacing in public discourse through the fictionalized retellings of her story.

The irony of a woman acquitted of a brutal murder on the grounds of a dissociative episode becoming a mental health professional is not lost on observers. While her current whereabouts are known to be in Georgia, the specific details of her life and practice are protected, allowing her to live a life of quiet normalcy that was violently taken from Betty Gore. The case of Candy Montgomery continues to be a dark mirror reflecting the complexities of suburban life, infidelity, and the controversial boundaries of self-defense in the American legal system.