5 Shocking True Story Details Behind 'Love & Death' Series Now Streaming On Netflix

The acclaimed true-crime limited series, 'Love & Death,' has found a massive new audience in late 2025, following its recent debut on a major streaming platform. Originally an HBO Max (now Max) exclusive in 2023, the seven-episode drama, which chronicles the shocking 1980 axe murder of Betty Gore by her friend Candy Montgomery, is now available to stream on Netflix as of December 1, 2025. This surge in availability has sparked renewed interest in the chilling real-life events that captivated the nation and the key players in the tragic love triangle that ended in violence.

The series, created by TV veteran David E. Kelley and starring Elizabeth Olsen, offers a nuanced, yet deeply unsettling, look at suburban ennui, a desperate affair, and the brutal act of violence that shattered the idyllic facade of a close-knit community in Wylie, Texas. For those just discovering this riveting drama, or for long-time true-crime enthusiasts, understanding the full scope of the true story is essential to grasping the show's intense drama and controversial conclusion.

The Central Figures: A Complete Biographical Profile

The entire narrative of 'Love & Death' revolves around four primary individuals—two seemingly happy couples—whose lives became irrevocably intertwined through an extramarital affair and a violent death. Here is a detailed profile of the real people portrayed by the star-studded cast, including Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, Lily Rabe, and Patrick Fugit.

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• Candace "Candy" Lynn Montgomery (née Wheeler)
  • Born: November 15, 1949, in Lucas, Texas.
  • Role in Story: A seemingly perfect, Christian suburban housewife and mother of two. She initiated an affair with Allan Gore, a friend's husband, in 1978.
  • The Crime: Accused of murdering Betty Gore with an axe on June 13, 1980.
  • Trial Verdict: Acquitted of murder on October 30, 1980, after claiming self-defense.
  • Current Status: Divorced Pat Montgomery a few years after the trial and reportedly works as a mental health counselor in Georgia, now going by her maiden name.
• Betty Gore
  • Role in Story: A Wylie schoolteacher and wife of Allan Gore, also a mother of two young daughters. She was described as struggling with post-partum depression and feelings of isolation.
  • The Crime: The victim of the brutal 1980 axe murder, sustaining 41 blows.
  • Portrayed by: Lily Rabe in the 'Love & Death' miniseries.
• Allan Gore
  • Role in Story: Betty's husband and Candy Montgomery's lover. He ended the affair with Candy months before the murder in an attempt to reconcile with Betty.
  • Aftermath: He was the person who discovered Betty's body after being unable to reach her by phone.
  • Portrayed by: Jesse Plemons, whose performance was widely praised.
• Pat Montgomery
  • Role in Story: Candy Montgomery's husband, a successful engineer. He stood by Candy throughout the investigation and the controversial trial.
  • Aftermath: He and Candy divorced a few years after the acquittal and he has since maintained a very private life.
  • Portrayed by: Patrick Fugit in the series.

The Shocking Details of the 1980 Axe Killing and Controversial Trial

The true story behind 'Love & Death' is a classic case of a seemingly mundane suburban life exploding into an unimaginable tragedy. The series draws heavily from the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by Jim Atkinson and John Bloom, which meticulously documented the events leading up to the murder and the subsequent legal battle.

The affair between Candy Montgomery and Allan Gore began in 1978 and lasted for several months. They were both members of the First United Methodist Church of Lucas and part of the same community circle. The affair was driven by Candy's search for excitement and connection outside of her marriage to Pat Montgomery, who she felt was emotionally distant. Allan, similarly, was looking for a connection that he felt was missing with Betty Gore. The affair ended when Allan decided to focus on his marriage to Betty.

The murder occurred on Friday, June 13, 1980, when Candy went to Betty Gore's home to pick up a swimsuit for Betty's daughter, who was staying at Candy's house for a sleepover. During this visit, Betty allegedly confronted Candy about the affair, which Allan had previously confessed to Betty about. Candy claimed that Betty grabbed an axe from the garage and attacked her, forcing Candy to fight back in self-defense.

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The brutality of the crime was what shocked the Collin County community. Betty Gore was struck 41 times with the axe. Candy Montgomery was arrested and charged with murder. Her defense team, led by attorney Don Crowder, argued that Candy suffered a "dissociative reaction" during the confrontation, triggered by Betty's alleged use of the axe and a childhood trauma related to her mother's reaction to her crying. This controversial psychiatric defense suggested that the killing was not premeditated murder but a reaction to a traumatic trigger.

After an eight-day trial that garnered national media attention, the jury, composed of nine women and three men, found Candy Montgomery not guilty of murder on October 30, 1980. The verdict was met with outrage and widespread criticism from the public, many of whom believed that the sheer number of axe blows contradicted the claim of self-defense.

Why 'Love & Death' is a Must-Watch True Crime Series on Netflix

The miniseries, which premiered in 2023 and has since been added to the Netflix catalog in December 2025, stands out in the crowded field of true-crime dramas for several compelling reasons. It offers a fresh perspective on a story that has been told before, most notably in the 1990 TV movie A Killing in a Small Town and the 2022 Hulu series Candy, which starred Jessica Biel.

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The Power of the Performance

Elizabeth Olsen's portrayal of Candy Montgomery is central to the show's success. Critics and audiences praised her ability to balance the character's outwardly cheerful, suburban facade with the deep, internal desperation that leads to her shocking actions. Olsen manages to make Candy both relatable and terrifying, capturing the complexity of a woman who felt trapped by the expectations of her life in the late 1970s.

A Deep Character Study

Unlike some true-crime content that sensationalizes the violence, 'Love & Death' spends significant time establishing the characters and the community. The series delves into the emotional landscape of the two couples—Candy and Pat Montgomery, and Betty and Allan Gore—exploring the quiet desperation and unspoken desires that simmered beneath the surface of their church-going, family-focused lives. This focus on character development makes the eventual murder all the more impactful and tragic.

The Unsettling Aftermath

The final episodes of the limited series focus on the legal battle and the controversial "not guilty" verdict. The courtroom drama is compelling, raising profound questions about the nature of self-defense, mental state, and the legal system's ability to interpret a violent crime. The show does not shy away from the public backlash and the lasting impact on the Gore family, particularly Betty's two young daughters, who were left without a mother. The series serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of secrets and infidelity in a seemingly perfect world.

With its recent arrival on Netflix, 'Love & Death' is poised to become one of the most talked-about true-crime series of the season. Its fresh take on the infamous Wylie axe killing, coupled with stellar performances and a masterful script by David E. Kelley, ensures that this chilling story of passion, secrets, and death will continue to intrigue and disturb viewers for years to come.