The Current Whereabouts of Pat and Candy Montgomery's Children: Updates on Their Lives 45 Years After Their Mother's Ax Murder

Pat and Candy Montgomery had two children, a son and a daughter, whose names have never been publicly disclosed. In June 1980, Candy Montgomery fatally attacked her friend Betty Gore with an ax, striking her over 40 times. Though she admitted to the killing in a moment of rage, she was acquitted of murder later that year.

Before the shocking crime, the Montgomerys appeared to be a typical suburban family. Candy and Pat had been married since the early 1970s and moved to Wylie, Texas, in 1977 with their young children. However, their lives took a dramatic turn when Candy engaged in an affair with Allan Gore, a married member of their church. The relationship lasted several months until Allan ended it to focus on his marriage after his wife, Betty, gave birth to their second child in 1979.

Nearly a year later, Betty Gore was found dead at home from multiple ax wounds. Candy initially claimed self-defense but later confessed that she killed Betty in a fit of rage. She stood trial and was acquitted in October 1980.

The brutal killing has inspired several television adaptations, including HBO Maxs 2024 series Love & Death starring Elizabeth Olsen. Despite the public interest, Candy, Pat, and their children have maintained a private life ever since.

The Montgomery Children

During their marriage, Pat and Candy had a son and a daughter, likely born in the early 1970s. The family moved to the suburbs in 1977, where Pat worked as an electrical engineer at Texas Instruments, while Candy, a former secretary, focused on raising the children. Reports indicated that Candy often felt restless and unfulfilled in her role as a housewife.

The events of June 13, 1980, when Betty Gore was discovered dead by a neighbor, marked a turning point. Allan Gore, who was away on business, had asked the neighbor to check on his wife after failed phone attempts. Candys involvement became known after Allan disclosed the affair to police. Prior to the trial, her defense team argued that unresolved childhood trauma contributed to her violent reaction.

In court, Candy described a confrontation with Betty that escalated into a struggle, resulting in Betty being struck 41 times until Candy exhausted herself. Following her acquittal, the family left Texas and eventually settled in Georgia by 2010. Candy and Pat later separated, and she returned to school to study counseling, taking back her maiden name, Candace Wheeler.

Portrayals in Media

The Montgomery children were depicted under fictional names in television adaptations. In HBO Maxs Love & Death, they are called Jenny and Ian, while Hulus 2022 miniseries Candy referred to them as Becky and Jason. Creators of these series emphasized staying true to the factual circumstances while presenting a character-driven story.

Current Life

Forty-five years after the events, the Montgomery children have largely remained out of public view. After moving from Texas to Georgia with their parents, they continued their lives privately following their parents separation, avoiding media attention and public scrutiny.

Author: Connor Blake