Is Candy Montgomery Still Alive? Did She Go To Jail?

March 2024 ยท 5 minute read
Is Candy Montgomery still alive? Yes, she is living in Georgia, but what happened to her after the trial? Was Candy Montgomery found guilty? Is she still in jail? Find out here.

Who is Candy Montgomery?

Candace Lynn Montgomery, formerly known as Candace Wheeler and born on November 15, 1949, found herself at the center of a gripping murder case in Wylie, Texas, on June 13, 1980. The victim was Betty Gore, the wife of Montgomery's lover. In a brutal attack, Betty was struck 41 times with a wooden axe, leaving a shocking scene of violence.

To understand the context, Montgomery was a 30-year-old housewife at the time, married to Pat Montgomery, an electrical engineer. The couple had two children and had settled in Collin County, Texas, in 1977. They were active members of the Methodist Church of Lucas.

It was through their church community that Montgomery formed a close friendship with Betty Gore, a dedicated middle school teacher. However, their friendship took a dark turn when Montgomery engaged in an extramarital affair with Betty's husband, Allan. The day of the murder unfolded with Allan Gore being away from home.

Concerned after being unable to reach his wife, he sought the help of their neighbors, who entered the Gore residence and made the chilling discovery of Betty's lifeless body. Meanwhile, their infant daughter, Bethany, who had been left unattended for a staggering 13 hours, was found crying and covered in her own feces.

The investigation of this heinous crime fell into the hands of Steve Deffibaugh, an investigator with the Collin County Sheriff's Department. The shocking details surrounding the murder and the relationships between the individuals involved added layers of complexity to the case. The investigation aimed to uncover the truth and bring justice to Betty Gore's tragic demise.

Is Candy Montgomery Still Alive?

Yes, Candy Montgomery is alive. It is indeed true that Candy Montgomery, the individual involved in a well-known murder case, is alive and has been working as a therapist in Georgia. She was born in November 1949 and is currently 72 years old. Jessica Biel, who portrayed Candy Montgomery in a television series, expressed her attempt to establish contact with the real-life Candy for research purposes.

However, according to Biel's statement to Entertainment Weekly, Candy showed no interest in engaging with her. As a result, Biel sought assistance from Robert Udashen, one of Candy's attorneys during the murder trial. Udashen proved to be a valuable source of information, providing significant insights into the case.

In her interview with Variety, Biel shared her aspiration to create a character that would evoke conflicting emotions in the audience. She aimed to depict Candy Montgomery in a way that initially garnered sympathy and understanding, but then made viewers question their allegiance and connection to her. Biel wanted to portray the complexity and ambiguity surrounding Candy's character, prompting the audience to reevaluate their perception of her.

Similarly, another actress, whose name remains undisclosed, also expressed her intention to delve into Candy Montgomery's psyche. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations and psychological factors that led her to commit such horrific acts. This approach highlights the dedication and commitment these actresses demonstrated in their efforts to portray real-life individuals involved in perplexing and shocking events.

Overall, the involvement of Biel, Olsen, and others in researching and portraying Candy Montgomery showcases the level of dedication and meticulousness required to authentically depict complex characters based on real-life figures.

Did Candy Montgomery Go to Jail?

Candy Montgomery, also known as Candace Montgomery, faced accusations of murdering her close friend, Betty Gore, in Wylie, Texas, on June 13, 1980. The motive behind the crime was Candy's extramarital affair with Betty's husband, Allan Gore. The incident occurred when Candy went to the Gore residence to retrieve a swimsuit for their daughter.

A confrontation ensued between Candy and Betty, leading to a physical altercation. Allegedly, Candy stabbed Betty 41 times with a three-foot-long ax while Allan was away. Candy came under suspicion after Allan confessed his affair to the authorities. During questioning, Candy denied any involvement in Betty's murder and refused to undergo a polygraph test. However, the evidence at the crime scene, including footprints, implicated her, leading to her arrest.

The trial took place four months later, during which Candy claimed that she acted in self-defense after Betty grabbed the ax from the garage. Psychiatric evaluations conducted through hypnosis suggested that Candy experienced a "dissociative reaction" during the altercation, with her rage stemming from childhood trauma. Based on the presented evidence and arguments, a jury acquitted Candy Montgomery of murder charges on October 29, 1980.

It is noteworthy that Candy Montgomery's acquittal occurred based on the self-defense claim and the jury's evaluation of the evidence and testimony presented during the trial.

Candy Montgomery Now

After the murder trial and acquittal, Candy Montgomery, along with her husband Pat Montgomery and their children, made the decision to leave Texas in 1980 and relocated to Georgia. Four years later, the couple went through a divorce, leading Candy to reclaim her maiden name and become known as Candace Wheeler.

Ironically, despite her tumultuous past, Candace pursued a career in the field of mental health. According to Newsweek, she became a mental health counselor, potentially utilizing her own experiences and personal growth to help others navigate their own challenges. The specifics of her work as a counselor, such as the setting or type of therapy she practiced, are not explicitly mentioned.

It is noteworthy that Candace's decision to embark on a profession focused on mental health could be seen as a remarkable shift, given the events surrounding the murder case and her personal history.



Is Candy Montgomery Still Alive? - FAQs

1.  Who is Candy Montgomery?  

Candy Montgomery, also known as Candace Montgomery (formerly Candace Wheeler), is an American woman who was accused of murdering her lover's wife, Betty Gore, in Wylie, Texas, in 1980. 

2. When did Candy Montgomery get caught?  

Candy Montgomery came under suspicion after Allan Gore confessed to his affair with her. 

3. What happened to Candy Montgomery after the trial?  

After the trial, Candy Montgomery and her family moved to Georgia. She later divorced her husband, Pat Montgomery, and adopted her maiden name, Candace Wheeler.

4. Is Candy Montgomery still alive?  

As of the provided information, Candy Montgomery is alive. 

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