45 Years Later: The Montgomery Family's Secret After Ax Murder

Forty-five years ago, Candy Montgomery was acquitted of murdering her friend, Betty Gore, with an ax. The incident, which occurred on June 13, 1980, involved 41 ax wounds. Candy confessed to the killing, attributing it to a rage triggered by a confrontation about her affair with Betty's husband, Allan Gore. Despite her confession, she was found not guilty later that year, a verdict that forever changed her family's trajectory.

The Montgomerys, who had two children, moved from Wylie, Texas, to Georgia after the trial. Shortly after their relocation, Candy and Pat Montgomery divorced. Candy later pursued studies in counseling, adopting her maiden name, Candace Wheeler. Throughout these significant life changes, the identities and current whereabouts of their children have been kept private, deliberately shielded from the intense public and media attention surrounding the case.

While Hollywood adaptations like HBO Max's "Love & Death" have brought Candy Montgomery's story to the screen, often altering details for dramatic effect, the real-life Montgomery children have maintained a life away from the spotlight. Their commitment to privacy underscores the profound and lasting impact of the 1980 ax murder on their family, highlighting their enduring desire for a life unburdened by their mother's notorious past.