She sought a thrill, an escape from the mundane. An affair with her best friend’s husband seemed like the answer. But when the secret unraveled, it culminated in a brutal ax murder that shocked a nation.
On June 13, 1980, Candace “Candy” Montgomery took the life of her close friend, Betty Gore, in a frenzied attack with an ax, a horrifying consequence of her clandestine affair with Betty’s husband.
On that fateful day, a seemingly ordinary suburban life took a dark turn, forever etching Candy Montgomery’s name into the annals of true crime. This article delves into five crucial aspects of this chilling case, exploring the events leading up to the murder and its aftermath.
The Unraveling of a Friendship: Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore
Candy Montgomery, a self-described Christian suburban housewife, resided in Wylie, Texas with her husband, Pat, and their two children. The church served as the epicenter of her social life, a place where she forged a deep bond with Betty Gore after the Montgomery family relocated to Wylie in 1977. Little did she know, this friendship would tragically unravel in the most devastating way imaginable.
The Affair That Ignited a Tragedy: Candy Montgomery and Allan Gore
Both Candy Montgomery and Allan Gore, Betty’s husband, confessed to feeling unfulfilled in their respective marriages. However, neither desired a divorce. According to Gore, the affair was initiated by Montgomery following a church volleyball game. She posed the question: “Would you be interested in having an affair?”
The affair wasn’t instantaneous. Weeks of lunches and phone calls ensued, filled with discussions about the potential benefits, drawbacks, and inherent risks involved. Gore emphasized his desire to avoid emotional entanglement, while Montgomery reassured him it was purely physical. Their clandestine meetings continued for several months, only to end after the birth of Gore’s second child. He expressed his intention to reconcile with Betty, leaving Montgomery to accept the end of their affair.
The Confrontation and the Killing: A Fatal Encounter
In June 1980, after an overnight stay at the Montgomery residence, Betty Gore’s eldest daughter, Alisa, was taken to Vacation Bible School by Candy. Betty’s absence prompted Candy to attempt contacting her, eventually leading her to visit the Gore home. It was during this visit that Betty confronted Candy, revealing her knowledge of the affair.
Initially, Montgomery attempted to deny the affair, but Betty presented her with the incriminating letters and cards exchanged between Candy and Allan. Despite Montgomery’s confession and assurances that the affair was over, tensions escalated. The confrontation took a horrific turn when a three-foot-long ax came into play. While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, a struggle ensued, culminating in Montgomery overpowering Gore and inflicting 41 wounds, many of which were inflicted post-mortem.
The Trial and Acquittal: A Controversial Verdict
The trial of Candy Montgomery commenced in October 1980. To the astonishment of many, she admitted to killing Betty Gore, claiming self-defense. Her legal team introduced a psychologist who argued that Montgomery experienced a “dissociative reaction” triggered by something Gore said during the struggle. This purportedly led to an uncontrolled outburst, during which Montgomery was unaware of the extent of her violence. On October 29, 1980, a jury acquitted Montgomery of all charges, a verdict met with considerable controversy.
A New Life, A New Identity: Candy Montgomery Today
Following her acquittal, Candy Montgomery relocated to Georgia, later divorcing her husband. She reportedly now goes by her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, and works as a mental health therapist, a career choice that adds another layer of complexity to this already disturbing story.
This chilling case continues to captivate and disturb, serving as a stark reminder of the dark side of human nature. The story of Candy Montgomery, the ax-wielding housewife, remains a chilling example of how seemingly ordinary lives can erupt into unimaginable violence.
