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45 Years Later: The Quiet Life Of Candace Wheeler In Georgia—The Woman Formerly Known As Candy Montgomery

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Few true crime stories have captured the American public's imagination and horror quite like the 1980 murder of Betty Gore in Wylie, Texas. The central figure in this decades-old tragedy, Candace Wheeler—better known by her former married name, Candy Montgomery—has managed to maintain a remarkably private and quiet existence in the decades following her sensational acquittal. As of late 2025, renewed public interest driven by recent television adaptations has once again cast a spotlight on her current life, which she now lives far from Texas in the state of Georgia.

The "latest update" on Candace Wheeler's life confirms that she continues to live a low-profile life in Georgia, working in a professional capacity that starkly contrasts with her notorious past. She has successfully distanced herself from the media circus of the 1980s, embracing her maiden name and a career dedicated to mental health counseling, a pursuit that many find deeply ironic given the circumstances of the case that defined her life.

The Complete Profile: Candace Wheeler (née Candace Lynn Wheeler Montgomery)

To fully grasp the magnitude of the story, understanding the key biographical and legal milestones of Candace Wheeler is essential. Her life trajectory, from a seemingly perfect suburban housewife to an acquitted murder defendant, is one of the most dramatic in modern true crime history.

  • Full Name: Candace Lynn Wheeler (Maiden Name) / Candace Lynn Wheeler Montgomery (Married Name)
  • Born: November 15, 1949, in Lucas, Texas
  • Spouse: Pat Montgomery (Divorced)
  • Children: Two (a son and a daughter, names remain private)
  • The Crime: Accused of the murder of Betty Gore on June 13, 1980, in Wylie, Texas.
  • The Victim: Betty Gore, a local teacher and the wife of Allan Gore, with whom Candy Montgomery had an extramarital affair.
  • The Weapon: An axe, used to strike the victim 41 times.
  • The Trial Outcome: Acquitted on October 30, 1980, based on a plea of self-defense.
  • Current Residence: Georgia, USA (since shortly after the trial).
  • Current Profession: Mental Health Counselor / Therapist.

The Shocking Shift from Wylie, Texas to Quiet Georgia

The immediate aftermath of the 1980 trial was a period of intense public scrutiny and media frenzy. Despite the "not guilty" verdict, the Montgomery family could not remain in the community of Wylie, Texas. The sheer volume of publicity and the lingering questions surrounding the self-defense plea—particularly the detail of the 41 axe blows—made a fresh start imperative.

Shortly after the trial's conclusion, Candy and her then-husband, Pat Montgomery, relocated their family to Georgia. This move was a deliberate attempt to escape the shadow of the Collin County Courthouse and the small-town Texas gossip that had consumed their lives. However, the move did not save their marriage; Pat and Candy Montgomery divorced approximately four years after the trial.

It was in Georgia that Candace Montgomery officially reverted to her maiden name, Candace Wheeler, and began the process of rebuilding her life. This dramatic change of identity and location allowed her to pursue a new career path, one that required specialized education and training in the field of mental health. The decision to become a counselor has been a major point of discussion for true crime enthusiasts, with many finding the career choice unsettling given her history.

Candace Wheeler's Current Professional Life as a Therapist

The most compelling and unique "latest update" on Candace Wheeler is her established career as a mental health professional in Georgia. She has pursued advanced education and holds several certifications, operating under the name Candace Wheeler, MS.

Her professional credentials and specialties are a testament to her commitment to her new life, which includes:

  • LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor): A state-level license to provide mental health services.
  • CDBT (Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist): Specializing in skills-based therapeutic approaches.
  • NCC (National Certified Counselor): A voluntary national certification indicating a high standard of practice.
  • Specialization: She reportedly focuses on counseling survivors of complex trauma and their families, utilizing techniques like Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
  • Practice Location: Various reports place her practice in the Dawsonville, Georgia, area.

The irony of a person who was at the center of a sensational murder case now dedicating her life to helping others manage trauma is not lost on the public. Her practice is described as providing clinical and non-clinical programs to help individuals cope with mental health challenges. However, some online sources indicate that her office is currently not accepting new patients, suggesting a desire to maintain a manageable, low-key professional profile.

The Renewed Public Interest and Media Adaptations

While Candace Wheeler has sought a quiet life, the dramatic nature of the 1980 case ensures that public interest periodically surges. The latest wave of curiosity was sparked by major television adaptations that brought the Betty Gore murder back into the mainstream consciousness.

The two most notable recent adaptations are:

  • Candy (Hulu, 2022): Starring Jessica Biel as Candy Montgomery. This series reignited the debate over the events leading up to Betty Gore's death and the controversial self-defense verdict.
  • Love & Death (HBO Max, 2023): Starring Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery. This high-profile limited series, which also focuses heavily on the extramarital affair between Candy and Allan Gore, prompted new searches for the real-life figures involved.

These dramatizations, while fictionalized, serve as the primary conduit for the "latest updates" on Candace Wheeler, as they force journalists and true crime podcasters to revisit the case and confirm her current, albeit private, status in Georgia. Her continued silence and refusal to engage with the media only amplify the mystery and curiosity surrounding her life after the trial.

Clarifying the Name: Not Every Candace Wheeler is Candy Montgomery

To maintain topical authority and provide a complete picture, it is important to note that "Candace Wheeler" is a relatively common name, and the public often confuses the former Candy Montgomery with other prominent women in Georgia.

  • The WABE Journalist: A different Candace Wheeler is a well-known Senior Producer at WABE (Atlanta Public Radio), who covers arts and culture stories in the Atlanta area. This person has a distinct and separate professional profile in Georgia journalism.
  • The Historic Figure: A 19th-century Candace Wheeler (1827–1923) is credited as the "mother of interior design" and was involved in establishing arts colonies, including one in Thomasville, Georgia. This historical figure is entirely unrelated to the 1980 murder case.

Ultimately, the Candace Wheeler who was once Candy Montgomery remains an enigma—a woman who survived a life-altering event and used a fresh start in Georgia to pursue a career dedicated to healing, all while the world remains fascinated by the dark history she left behind in Wylie, Texas. Her quiet life as a counselor in Dawsonville, Georgia, is the final, unexpected chapter in one of the most compelling true crime stories ever told.

45 Years Later: The Quiet Life of Candace Wheeler in Georgia—The Woman Formerly Known as Candy Montgomery
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candace wheeler georgia

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