Where Is Candace Montgomery Now? The Shocking 2025 Updates On The Ax Murder Case
The name Candace Montgomery (Candy Montgomery) resurfaced in the public consciousness in recent years, not just as a figure from a chilling true crime case, but as a subject of intense modern curiosity. As of December 2025, the woman who was acquitted of the brutal 1980 ax murder of her friend Betty Gore is alive, in her mid-70s, and has successfully maintained a quiet, private life after nearly five decades of avoiding the media spotlight. Her story remains a potent example of suburban tragedy, a narrative continually retold through hit television series and documentaries that keep the details of the shocking event fresh in the public mind.
The renewed interest, driven by recent streaming adaptations like *Candy* (Hulu) and *Love & Death* (HBO Max), has prompted countless searches for her current whereabouts, professional life, and even her presence on social media. The reality is that the former Wylie, Texas, housewife has completely reinvented herself, opting for a career that stands in stark contrast to her infamous past. The following deep dive reveals the latest updates on her life, current profession, and the true nature of her post-acquittal existence.
Candace Montgomery: Full Biography and Case Profile
Candace Lynn Wheeler Montgomery's life before the infamous 1980 incident was typical of a 1970s suburban Texas housewife. She was a mother, a church-goer, and a seemingly active member of her community in Wylie, Texas.
- Full Name: Candace Lynn Wheeler Montgomery (now reportedly Candace Wheeler)
- Also Known As: Candy Montgomery
- Date of Birth: November 15, 1949
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 76 years old
- Birthplace: Lucas, Texas
- Spouse: Pat Montgomery (divorced after the trial)
- Children: Two children (a son and a daughter)
- Victim: Betty Gore (killed June 13, 1980)
- The Crime: Accused of striking Betty Gore 41 times with an ax in Gore’s home.
- Trial Outcome: Acquitted of murder charges on October 30, 1980, based on a plea of self-defense.
- Current Location: Reportedly lives in Georgia, United States.
- Current Profession: Reportedly works as a licensed professional counselor/therapist.
- Maiden Name: Candace Wheeler
The case that defined her life centered on an affair she had with Allan Gore, the husband of her friend, Betty Gore. On June 13, 1980, a confrontation between Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore escalated dramatically, resulting in Betty’s death. Candy claimed she acted in self-defense after Betty confronted her about the affair with an ax. The jury ultimately accepted her claim, leading to her controversial acquittal.
The Shocking Post-Acquittal Life: From Housewife to Counselor
Following the intense media scrutiny and the controversial acquittal, Candace Montgomery’s life was irrevocably changed. Her decision to leave Texas and completely change her identity was a calculated move to escape the notoriety of the "Ax Murderer" label.
The Move to Georgia and Name Change
Shortly after the trial's conclusion, Candace and her then-husband, Pat Montgomery, moved from Wylie, Texas, to Georgia. The couple later divorced, and Candace took a crucial step in her reinvention: she reverted to her maiden name, becoming Candace Wheeler. This name change was instrumental in allowing her to blend into a new community and pursue a vastly different life.
A Career as a Therapist
Perhaps the most startling update on Candace Montgomery’s life is her reported career path. Sources indicate that she returned to school, earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree, and now works as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or therapist. She reportedly specializes in counseling troubled youth, a career choice that has been described by some true-crime observers as deeply ironic given her own violent past.
The professional shift to psychology and counseling—a field dedicated to mental health and conflict resolution—highlights her extreme effort to distance herself from the events of 1980. Records suggest a Candace Wheeler, M.S., LPC, practices in the Dawsonville, Georgia, area, which is widely believed to be the new identity of the former Candy Montgomery.
Addressing the Modern Search: OnlyFans, Leaked Content, and Social Media
In the age of digital celebrity and instant information, the notoriety of a figure like Candace Montgomery often intersects with modern search trends, leading to a surge in queries about her presence on platforms like OnlyFans, her social media accounts, and searches for "Candace Montgomery leaked" or "Candace Montgomery nude." These searches are fueled by a mix of true-crime curiosity and the common pattern of searching for sensitive content related to any high-profile name.
No Association with OnlyFans or Leaked Content
It is crucial to clarify that the historical figure Candace "Candy" Montgomery, who was involved in the 1980 ax murder case, has absolutely no confirmed association with OnlyFans, leaked content, or any form of adult entertainment.
The woman known as Candace Wheeler is a private citizen and a mental health professional in her mid-70s. Her entire post-acquittal life has been dedicated to maintaining a low-profile, private existence, making any presence on public social media platforms or content-sharing sites highly improbable. Searches for "Candace Montgomery sex" or "Candace Montgomery leaked" are likely a result of mistaken identity, confusion with other online personalities, or simple algorithm-driven curiosity based on the sensational nature of her past. She has successfully stayed out of the public eye for decades, a clear indication of her intent to remain anonymous.
A Life of Extreme Privacy
Unlike contemporary figures who court media attention, Candace Montgomery/Wheeler has actively sought to erase her public profile. She has no known public social media accounts (Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, etc.) tied to her current identity. Her life as a counselor in Georgia is carefully guarded, with her current appearance and exact location remaining unknown to the general public, a testament to her commitment to privacy. This effort to disappear is the most significant update on her life, contrasting sharply with the sensationalism of her past.
The Legacy of the Wylie Ax Murder Case in Pop Culture
The enduring fascination with Candace Montgomery is largely due to the recent high-profile adaptations of her story. These series have resurrected the case for a new generation, providing topical authority and driving current search interest.
- *Candy* (Hulu, 2022): Starring Jessica Biel as Candy Montgomery, this series provided a dramatic, fictionalized account of the events leading up to and following the murder.
- *Love & Death* (HBO Max, 2023): Featuring Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery and Jesse Plemons as Allan Gore, this production offered another deep dive into the complex psychological and social dynamics of the case.
These retellings ensure that the names Candace Montgomery, Betty Gore, Allan Gore, and Pat Montgomery remain relevant entities in the true crime genre. The narrative of the suburban fantasy shattered by infidelity and violence continues to resonate, keeping the "Where is she now?" question at the forefront of the public's mind. The fact that Candace Montgomery is now a therapist—a figure meant to help people heal—adds a final, complex layer of irony to a story that remains one of the most compelling and controversial in American criminal history.
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