The Chilling Life Of Candace Wheeler: 7 Shocking Facts About The Woman Behind The True Crime Sensation

The name Candy Wheeler has re-emerged into the public consciousness, not as a new social media personality, but as the current identity of one of America's most infamous true crime figures: Candace "Candy" Montgomery. As of this writing in December 2025, the fascination surrounding her story continues to dominate headlines, fueled by multiple recent television dramatizations that have brought the chilling 1980 case back into the spotlight.

This article provides the most current and detailed look at Candace Wheeler's life, from the shocking events that defined her past to her quiet, new career as a family counselor in Georgia. The true story of the Texas housewife who was acquitted of murder remains a complex and deeply unsettling chapter in American legal history, raising questions about self-defense, infidelity, and the nature of suburban secrets.

Candace Lynn Montgomery (née Wheeler) Biography & Profile

The woman known today as Candace Wheeler was once at the center of a sensational murder trial that captivated the nation. Here is a detailed profile of her life and the key events that shaped her identity:

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• Full Name: Candace Lynn Montgomery (née Wheeler)
• Born: November 15, 1949, in Texas
• Maiden Name: Candace Lynn Wheeler
• Spouse: 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, a friend and wife of her lover, Allan Gore
• Crime Date: June 13, 1980
• Weapon: A three-foot-long axe
• Legal Outcome: Acquitted on the grounds of self-defense
• Current Status: Works as a family therapist/counselor, living under her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, in Georgia.
• Media Portrayals: Portrayed by Jessica Biel in the Hulu series Candy (2022) and by Elizabeth Olsen in the HBO Max series Love & Death (2023).

The Shocking True Crime Case That Defined Her Life

The events of June 13, 1980, shattered the quiet, religious community of Wylie, Texas, forever linking the name Candy Montgomery to one of the most brutal crimes in the state’s history. The confrontation that day was the culmination of a secret, year-long affair and a web of suburban deceit.

1. The Affair and the Fatal Encounter

Candy Montgomery, a devoted wife and mother, began an affair with Allan Gore, the husband of her friend, Betty Gore, in 1979. The affair was reportedly orchestrated by Candy, who felt a deep dissatisfaction in her marriage to Pat Montgomery. The relationship was brief and structured, mutually agreed upon to end before the fatal day.

On the day of the murder, Candy went to the Gore home to pick up Betty and Allan's daughter, Alisa, who had stayed over at the Montgomerys' house. A conversation between Candy and Betty quickly escalated when Betty confronted Candy about the affair with her husband, Allan Gore. The confrontation turned violent, with Betty allegedly grabbing an axe from the garage.

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2. The Unfathomable Number of Axe Blows

The most chilling detail of the case, and the one that drives much of the public's enduring curiosity, is the sheer brutality of the attack. Betty Gore was struck 41 times with the axe. Forensic evidence later suggested that 40 of these blows occurred while Betty’s heart was still beating.

The violence seemed disproportionate to a simple act of self-defense, leading the prosecution to argue for a cold-blooded murder. However, the defense team, led by Don Crowder, focused on a psychological defense that ultimately swayed the jury.

The Controversial Acquittal and Her Life Now

The trial, held in the Collin County Courthouse, was a media circus. The defense’s strategy was highly unconventional, relying heavily on a claim of dissociation and self-defense, a legal maneuver that remains controversial to this day. The outcome of the trial drastically altered Candy Montgomery's life and led to her eventual transformation into Candace Wheeler.

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3. The Hypnosis Testimony and Dissociation Plea

To support the self-defense claim, Candy underwent a controversial hypnosis session with a psychiatrist, Dr. Fred Fason. During the trial, Dr. Fason testified that the confrontation with Betty triggered a repressed childhood trauma in Candy, causing her to enter a dissociative state during the attack. The defense argued that Betty Gore had initiated the violence by threatening Candy with the axe, and Candy's subsequent actions were a reaction to the trauma and a fight for her life.

After just a few hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" on October 29, 1980, accepting the self-defense plea. The verdict shocked the community and the nation.

4. The Immediate Aftermath and Divorce

Following the acquittal, Candy and her family were social pariahs in Wylie, Texas. The public outcry was significant, with many refusing to believe the self-defense verdict. To escape the intense scrutiny and judgment, the Montgomery family—Candy, Pat, and their two children—relocated to Georgia shortly after the trial concluded.

Despite the move, the marriage did not last. Candy and Pat Montgomery divorced a few years after the trial.

5. Working as a Family Counselor in Georgia

The most compelling update on her life today is her professional career. After her divorce, Candace Montgomery reverted to her maiden name, Candace Wheeler. She pursued studies in counseling and now reportedly works as a family therapist or counselor in Georgia.

This career choice—helping families with emotional and relational issues—is starkly ironic given the violent and destructive nature of her past. She has successfully maintained a low profile, staying out of the public eye for decades and attempting to distance herself from the notoriety of the case.

6. The True Crime Renaissance and Renewed Scrutiny

The quiet life of Candace Wheeler was significantly disrupted by the recent wave of true crime adaptations. The Hulu series Candy, starring Jessica Biel, and the HBO Max series Love & Death, starring Elizabeth Olsen, both released in quick succession, reignited public interest and scrutiny in the case.

The dramatizations, though based on historical accounts, have forced the public to re-examine the details of the affair, the murder, and the controversial acquittal, ensuring that the name Candace Wheeler (Montgomery) remains a hot topic in true crime circles.

7. The Enduring Legacy of the Wylie Axe Murder

The 1980 Wylie axe murder case has become a permanent fixture in American true crime. It is a story of how a seemingly perfect suburban life—complete with church activities at the First United Methodist Church and a stable family—can harbor dark secrets and lead to unimaginable violence. The case is often cited as a cautionary tale about the pressures of conformity and the explosive consequences of an unfulfilled life.

Candace Wheeler’s ability to move on and build a new life as a counselor, while her past involves the violent death of a friend, continues to spark debate and curiosity. The full details of her life today are closely guarded, but the public's fascination with the woman who survived one of the most sensational trials in history shows no signs of fading.