Where Is Candy Montgomery Now? Inside the Quiet Life of the Woman at the Center of a Notorious 1980 Murder Trial
In the summer of 1980, a brutal crime in small-town Texas stunned the nation and forever changed the lives of everyone involved. At the heart of it stood Candy Montgomery, a suburban mother and churchgoer accused of killing her friend, Betty Gore, with an axe. Decades after her dramatic acquittal, public curiosity still lingers.
So, where is Candy Montgomery now? The answer reveals a story not of celebrity or scandal, but of reinvention, privacy, and an attempt at normalcy far from the headlines.
The 1980 Axe Murder That Shocked Texas
On June 13, 1980, Betty Gore, a 30-year-old mother of two, was found brutally murdered inside her home in Wylie, Texas. She had been struck 41 times with an axe, in what investigators described as an exceptionally violent and prolonged attack. The crime scene horrified the close-knit church community where both Betty and Candy were active members.
Suspicion quickly turned toward Candy Montgomery, Betty’s friend and fellow congregant at the First United Methodist Church. Investigators uncovered evidence placing Candy at the scene. Soon after, Allan Gore, Betty’s husband, revealed he had previously engaged in an extramarital affair with Candy — a relationship that had ended months before the killing.
Candy Montgomery’s Self-Defense Claim
When confronted by authorities, Candy did not deny being present. Instead, she confessed to the killing but claimed self-defense. According to her testimony, Betty confronted her about the affair, became enraged, and grabbed an axe from the utility room. Candy alleged that Betty struck her first, cutting her toe during the struggle.
She claimed she wrestled the axe away and, in a panicked state, struck back repeatedly until Betty stopped moving. A forensic blood spatter analysis supported the existence of a violent struggle, which became a critical component of the defense’s argument.
This shocking narrative laid the groundwork for one of the most sensational trials of the decade.
The Explosive Trial That Divided America
The trial of Candy Montgomery began in October 1980 and drew intense national media coverage. Prosecutor Tom Ryan portrayed her as a jealous and calculated killer motivated by resentment. In contrast, defense attorney Don Crowder argued that Candy acted in self-defense and experienced a psychological breakdown during the altercation.
Psychiatrist Dr. James Paver testified that Candy entered a “dissociative state,” triggered by childhood trauma and extreme stress. This psychological defense suggested she acted without conscious intent during the attack.
After only eight days of deliberation, on October 30, 1980, the jury found her not guilty on the grounds of self-defense. The courtroom reportedly erupted in boos, and public reaction was sharply divided. Some believed justice had prevailed; others felt Betty Gore’s death had gone unanswered.
Life Immediately After the Acquittal
Following the verdict, Candy and her husband, Pat Montgomery, faced intense scrutiny and social isolation. Former friends distanced themselves, and the family received threats. Within months, they relocated from Texas to Georgia, hoping to escape the notoriety.
Despite Pat’s support during the trial, their marriage eventually deteriorated. Around 1984, the couple divorced. Candy resumed using her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, and focused on raising her two children:
- Jennifer Montgomery (born 1971)
- Ian Montgomery (born 1974)
Determined to rebuild her life, Candace returned to school and pursued a degree in psychology — a decision that would shape her future in unexpected ways.
Where Is Candy Montgomery Now? A Quiet Life in Georgia
For those still wondering where is Candy Montgomery now, reliable public records indicate she resides in Dawsonville, Georgia, located north of Atlanta. Born on November 15, 1949, she is now 76 years old as of 2026.
Living under the name Candace Wheeler, she has maintained an extremely low profile for decades. She has avoided interviews, declined media inquiries, and refrained from participating in the dramatizations of her story.
Unlike many high-profile defendants who later profit from publicity, Candace chose a life of privacy and distance from the crime that once dominated headlines.
Her Career as a Licensed Professional Counselor
One of the most striking chapters in her post-trial life is her career in mental health. Candace Wheeler became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in 1996 after earning a master’s degree in psychology.
She has worked in:
- Private counseling practice
- Community mental health settings
- Family and youth therapy programs
Her specialties reportedly include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Grief counseling
- Family conflict resolution
- Trauma-informed therapy
Public licensing records in Georgia confirm her professional credentials remain active. Clients describe her approach as empathetic, calm, and supportive — characteristics that align with therapeutic best practices.
The irony of her profession has not been lost on true-crime followers. Yet legally and professionally, she rebuilt her identity around helping others manage emotional struggles.
Family Life and Relationships
After her divorce from Pat Montgomery, Candace raised her children largely out of public view. Her daughter, Jennifer (now often referred to as Jenny Wheeler), is believed to have followed a similar career path in counseling and mental health.
Both children have remained intensely private, avoiding media interviews and public commentary about the case. There have been no known legal issues or public scandals involving the family since the 1980 trial.
Meanwhile:
- Pat Montgomery reportedly remarried and lives separately.
- Allan Gore rebuilt his life and also remarried.
- Betty Gore’s daughters, Alisa and Beth, grew up with their father.
The ripple effects of the case extended far beyond the courtroom, touching multiple families for decades.
Media Resurgence and Renewed Interest
Public fascination with the case resurged dramatically in recent years. Two major streaming adaptations reignited attention:
- “Candy” (2022) starring Jessica Biel
- “Love & Death” (2023) starring Elizabeth Olsen
Both dramatizations introduced the story to a new generation. Following their release, search interest in where is Candy Montgomery now surged significantly.
Despite this renewed spotlight, Candace Wheeler reportedly declined contact from producers and actors associated with the shows. She has consistently avoided interviews, reinforcing her commitment to privacy.
The Psychological and Legal Legacy of the Case
The Montgomery trial remains a notable example in discussions of self-defense and psychological testimony. Key aspects include:
- The use of a dissociative state defense
- Forensic blood spatter evidence supporting a struggle
- Public backlash despite legal acquittal
- Gender expectations in 1980s suburban America
The case also highlighted tensions beneath seemingly idyllic church-centered communities, exposing themes of infidelity, repression, and hidden emotional turmoil.
While legally resolved, the moral and emotional debate continues among true-crime audiences.
Challenges of Living with Infamy
Even decades later, living with such a past presents ongoing challenges. In a rare 2000 comment to the press, Candace reportedly stated she had no interest in revisiting the case publicly.
Maintaining privacy in the digital age is increasingly difficult. True-crime forums, podcasts, and social media discussions frequently revisit the case. Yet Candace has remained consistent in her refusal to engage.
Her ability to sustain a professional counseling career despite her history suggests resilience and community support within her Georgia environment.
The Human Side of Reinvention
Beyond headlines and dramatizations lies a broader human question: can someone truly rebuild after public infamy?
Candace Wheeler’s post-trial life reflects several notable efforts at reinvention:
- Relocation to a new state
- Name change and legal identity shift
- Higher education and professional certification
- Long-term employment in mental health services
- Strict avoidance of media attention
Her journey underscores how acquittal in court does not erase public memory. The shadow of the case remains part of American true-crime history, yet her daily life appears focused on ordinary routines and professional responsibility.
Conclusion
So, where is Candy Montgomery now? As of 2026, she is believed to be living quietly in Dawsonville, Georgia, under the name Candace Wheeler, working as a licensed professional counselor. At 76 years old, she has spent more than four decades removed from the crime that once defined her public image.
Her story remains one of the most debated cases in modern true-crime history — a blend of violence, psychology, suburban life, and legal controversy. While public fascination persists, her chosen path has been one of privacy, professional reinvention, and distance from the spotlight.
The legacy of the case continues to provoke questions about justice, trauma, and redemption — but for Candace Wheeler, life appears centered on quiet normalcy rather than notoriety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where is Candy Montgomery living in 2026?
She is believed to reside in Dawsonville, Georgia, under the name Candace Wheeler, maintaining a private lifestyle.
2. Is Candy Montgomery still married?
No. She divorced Pat Montgomery around 1984 and resumed using her maiden name.
3. What does Candy Montgomery do for work now?
She works as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) specializing in mental health therapy, including anxiety, grief, and family issues.
4. How old is Candy Montgomery today?
Born on November 15, 1949, she is 76 years old as of 2026.
5. Did Candy Montgomery ever speak publicly about the case?
She has largely avoided interviews since the 1980 trial and declined involvement in recent TV dramatizations.
6. Why was Candy Montgomery acquitted?
The jury accepted her claim of self-defense, supported by forensic evidence and psychiatric testimony regarding a dissociative state.
7. Did her children remain in the public eye?
No. Her children have maintained privacy and have not publicly discussed the case.
Get more updates or Stories on Next Magazine
