HBO Max recently released another true crime drama series based around Candy Montgomery, called Love & Death, which has captivated fans of the genre with its unsettling tale of secret love, deceit, and murder. The series revolves around Candy Montgomery and the tragic death of her friend Betty Gore in 1980
Who did Candy Montgomery Kill?
On June 13, 1980, Betty Gore was found dead in her home, brutally struck 41 times with an axe. It later came to light that Candy Montgomery had been having an affair with Betty Gore’s husband. However, Montgomery was eventually cleared of the murder.
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by David E. Kelley, Love & Death features Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery and Lily Rabe as Betty Gore. The series has received mixed reviews, which may be partly attributed to the story being previously covered in Hulu’s show called Candy in 2022.
What happened to Candy Montgomery’s Children
Candy Montgomery and her husband Pat had two children, but very little is known about them due to the circumstances surrounding their mother. In different accounts of the case, the names of the children have varied. Hulu’s Candy referred to them as Becky and Jason, while the 1990 TV movie, A Killing In A Small Town, named them Sara and Sean. Other sources mention Jennifer and Ian as their names. The exact ages of the children at the time of Betty Gore’s murder remain unclear.
To safeguard the children’s privacy after the tragic events, it appears their names were changed. After Candy was cleared of the murder, the family moved from Texas to Georgia. An anonymous family member, in an interview with Buzzfeed News, expressed concern about the potential stress caused by shows like Hulu’s Candy and HBO’s Love & Death. It is important to consider the impact on victims’ families when such cases are repeatedly dramatized for entertainment purposes.
The Ethics of True Crime Dramas
While the true crime genre continues to gain popularity, it raises important questions about the consequences for real people involved in the cases. Documentaries serve one purpose, but scripted dramatizations can sometimes distort the tone or portrayal of characters and events. As responsible viewers, we must reflect on the cost of such shows, especially when stories like Candy Montgomery’s have already been produced multiple times.
As we follow the Love & Death series and delve into the chilling tale of Candy Montgomery, it is crucial to respect the privacy of her children. Their whereabouts remain largely unknown, and we must acknowledge the potential impact of true crime dramas on the lives of those involved.
