‘Love and Death’: Just where is Candy Montgomery now?
Can you imagine the American suburb, with its neatly mown lawns and white picket fences, as a backdrop for a chilling crime story?
Look no further than the real-life case of Candy Montgomery. Her story, filled with whispers of an extramarital affair and a shocking crime, forms the basis of HBO Max’s latest sensation, Love & Death. Now everyone is asking, “Where is Candy Montgomery now”
Here’s everything you need to know about this twisted saga, and what became of the acquitted killer after all of these years.
Unassuming Candy
Candy Montgomery was an ordinary, law-abiding, church-going housewife until she crossed paths with the Gores. Back in 1977, at the age of twenty-eight, Candy and her husband Pat Montgomery decided to settle down in Wylie, TX, a picturesque suburb northeast of Dallas. Their social life revolved around the local Methodist church, where they befriended a local couple named Betty and Allan Gore.
Their friendship, however, was tinged with quiet desperation. Betty and Allan’s marriage was strained, largely due to Allan’s frequent travel for work. Meanwhile, Candy was growing discontent with her own life and began to consider the idea of an affair – a chance for what she described as “fireworks.”
Sultry affair
Candy and Allan, both vibrant individuals, found solace in each other. They began to spend increasing amounts of time together, and by the summer of 1978, an intense flirtation had developed. They embarked on a meticulously planned affair, setting down ground rules: their spouses could never find out, and they were to remain emotionally detached.
Their secretive rendezvous started towards the end of 1978 and carried on for several months. Despite their detailed planning, things soon spiraled out of control.
Sour turn
Their relationship evolved into an emotional affair as Candy found herself breaking their promise – she was falling for Allan. They started looking forward to their daily conversations, shared confidences, and joint dependence. However, Allan soon grew distant as Betty was pregnant with his child. That summer, he broke off the affair, leaving Candy shattered.
In a shocking twist of events, Candy, a year later, ended up killing Betty with an ax.
One fateful day in June 1980, Candy visited Betty’s house. Betty confronted Candy about her suspicion of an affair, leading to a chilling confession. In the ensuing commotion, Candy claimed that Betty attacked her with an ax. In self-defense, Candy wrestled the ax away from Betty and struck her over forty times.
As the last person to see Betty alive, Candy was naturally the prime suspect in her murder. But it wasn’t until Allan confessed about their affair that Candy was arrested and charged with Betty’s murder. During her trial, Candy confessed to the killing but maintained that it was in self-defense.
Using a childhood trauma defense, Candy claimed she entered a dissociative state during her fight with Betty, which led to the violent act. This defense swayed the jury, and Candy was acquitted of Betty’s murder, leading to a significant public outcry.
After crime
Post-trial, Candy strived for a normal life. She and Pat moved away from Texas to avoid the public scrutiny. While rumors of their divorce circulated, Candy now leads a quiet life in Georgia, working as a mental health counselor.
This tale serves as a grim reminder that even the most peaceful suburbs can harbor chilling secrets. As you mull over this story, ask yourself: Do we ever truly know what lies behind the perfect facade of a white picket fence?
_
What do you think it would take for you to get away with murder? Let us know in the comments!
