Who killed Betty in Love & Death? Details from the true-crime series explored

Love & Death is a miniseries that aired on HBO Max in 2023. The series tells the story of a Texas community shaken to its core by a brutal killing back in 1980. Created by David E. Kelley, Betty was one of the most integral parts of the series.

Betty and Allan Gore were a happy suburban family living outside Dallas who followed a simple, happy routine. Betty taught at an elementary school, and her husband joined a large electronics and defense company.

But Betty's life was not so smooth as it seemed outwardly. But an affair led to the brutal murder of her by Candy Montgomery, as per the accusations. She was later acquitted.

Who killed Betty in Love & Death?

Elizabeth Olsen steps into the gritty role of Candy Montgomery, and Lily Rabe plays Betty Gore. The real killing happened in Wylie, Texas, and the show drew heavily from Texas Monthly’s two-part report and the book Evidence of Love.

In Love & Death, Betty Gore, a young mother, struggles with her marriage and a bubbling dissatisfaction with suburban life. Her world collapses when she confronts Candy about an affair. Love & Death uses this moment to explore the question at the center of the story: who killed Betty, and why?

On June 13, 1980, Betty was found dead in her home, brutally axed 41 times. The scene looked like straight out of a horror movie, and the gruesomeness shocked the community. Candy was considered an ordinary housewife, a friend from church, and someone who seemed to lead a quiet life with her husband, Pat.

This affair between Betty's husband and Candy began after a casual collision during a church volleyball game in 1978. Candy had approached Allan, admitted her attraction, and proposed an affair built on strict rules and set boundaries. The affair went on for a long time even after Betty gave birth.

The flow of events in Love & Death follows the same timeline as reported in Texas Monthly. Candy and Betty both attended the Methodist Church of Lucas. They both shared the same suburban circle of school, community activities, and choir practice.

Betty’s husband, Allan Gore, had been having an affair with Candy. Allan eventually ended the relationship to work on his marriage. The affair provides authorities with a crucial anchor in finding a motive for the brutal murder. Their hidden relationship created a tension that sat quietly in the background until the day of the killing.

Back in 1980, Allan left Texas for a business trip. Betty stopped responding to his calls, making Allan very worried. Then, the neighbors eventually discovered the body and her infant daughter alone in the house.

There was blood throughout the utility room, and investigators later found a bloody footprint. Candy became a suspect because she was the last person known to have seen Betty alive. She had also been watching Betty’s older daughter that day.

Trending

Candy testified during the trials in 1980 that it was Betty who first confronted her about the affair. She said Betty picked up an axe from the utility room and returned, striking Candy first. Candy claimed she managed to take the axe during the struggle and kept hitting until she was completely exhausted.

You can stream Love & Death on HBO Max.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback