• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Chilling true story behind ITV's new psychological drama about woman who killed lover's wife

Home> Entertainment> TV & Film

Published 16:16 9 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Chilling true story behind ITV's new psychological drama about woman who killed lover's wife

A new ITV drama will tell the true story of Candy Montgomery, who killed the wife of the man with whom she was having an affair

Gregory Robinson

Gregory Robinson

Tragedy struck in a small town in Texas in 1980 when a housewife killed her lover’s wife in a struggle she put down to self-defence.

Candace “Candy” Montgomery, a 30-year-old housewife, lived in Collin County, Texas, with her husband Pat Montgomery, an electrical engineer, at the time of the killing. The couple had two children - a daughter and a son and they attended the Methodist Church of Lucas regularly.

The mum-of-two, who was considered a regular suburban homemaker, moved to Wylie with her family in 1977. Although Candy and Pat appeared to have an idyllic marriage, things took a turn for the worse.

Candy eventually met Betty Gore, another wife and mother, during a church service.

Advert

School teacher Betty had married Allan Gore, who worked at a manufacturing conglomerate called Rockwell International, in January 1970 and the family moved to the suburbs of Dallas, Texas.

Candy Montgomery killed her friend Betty Gore after having an affair with her husband.
HBO Max

Candy and Allan eventually met during a church volleyball game in the summer of 1978. One night after choir practice, Candy and Allan had a chat, during which Candy confessed her attraction and suggested they should act on it.

Allan initially rejected the offer, because Betty had just became pregnant with their second child, however he soon agreed to having illicit trysts in December 1978 which continued for several months, even after Betty gave birth in July 1979.

Advert

Allan ended the affair at some point after the summer of 1979 and in the summer of 1980, the affair led to death.

Elizabeth Olsen stars as Candy Montgomery.
HBO Max/ITV

On Friday, 13 June 1980, in Wylie, Texas, when Allan was away on a business trip, he became worried when he was unable to get in touch with Betty.

A neighbour entered the Gores’ home and found their infant daughter in her crib and blood leading to the utility room door where Betty was found dead. Police at the Collin County Sheriff’s Department reported that Betty had been killed with an axe.

Advert

Candy became the main suspect because she was the last person to see Betty alive. She was questioned several times and even though her alibi seemed to check out, that changed when Allan admitted to the affair, giving the police motive for the killing.

The real Candy Montgomery admitted to killing Betty Gore in self-defence.
HBO Max/ITV

Candy was arrested and charged with murder, which she denied. She hired a lawyer from her church, Don Crowder, to represent her. The housewife later recounted what happened on the night of 13 June, 1980 during her trial.

In her testimony, Candy said she confessed to Betty about the affair and claimed Betty went to her utility room and grabbed an axe, which she used to attack her. Candy claimed she eventually gained control of the weapon and hit Betty as the pair engaged in a struggle.

Advert

Experts found that Gore was struck 41 times.

Candy pleaded not guilty to charges of murder on the basis of self-defense. She was found not guilty of murder and served no jail time.

The mind-blowing case has been adapted into a psychological drama series starring Elizabeth Olsen as Candy called Love & Death. The cast also includes Jesse Plemons as Allan Gore, Patrick Fugit as Pat and Lily Rabe as Betty.

The HBO Max drama will stream in the UK on ITVX from 7 September.

Featured Image Credit: ITV/HBO Max

Topics: TV And Film, True Crime

Gregory Robinson
Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Amanda Knox’s ‘gripping’ true crime drama has sparked important debate about victim Meredith Kercher
  • Netflix viewers outraged at 'incest' storyline in new Monsters series after learning true story behind it
  • True story behind Menendez brothers and O.J Simpson's connection after Netflix viewers were left puzzled by scene
  • Shocking true story of woman who helped violent prisoner escape after falling in love with them

Choose your content:

2 days ago
  • Taylor Hill/FilmMagicTaylor Hill/FilmMagic
    2 days ago

    Orlando Bloom makes rare comment about Katy Perry after split in emotional parenting admission

    Orlando Bloom has addressed his split from Katy Perry for the first time, saying there is 'nothing but love'

    Entertainment
  • Denise Truscello/WireImageDenise Truscello/WireImage
    2 days ago

    Former Playboy Bunny Holly Madison reveals bizarre sex item Hugh Hefner used in shocking bedroom admission

    Madison, 45, dated the magazine mogul between 2001 to 2008

    Entertainment
  • Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesJamie McCarthy/Getty Images
    2 days ago

    Bruce Willis’ wife Emma shares heartbreaking marriage admission before actor's dementia diagnosis

    Emma Heming has opened up about how her husband's diagnosis impacted their relationship

    Entertainment
  • NetflixNetflix
    2 days ago

    ‘Obsessed’ mother reveals bizarre reason for anonymously tormenting daughter as psychologist explains ‘Cyber Munchausen’

    Kendra Licari sent as many as 40 to 50 text messages a day to her teen daughter, Lauryn, under a fake profile

    Entertainment