Betty Gore: The Tragic True Story Behind the 1980 Ax Murder

Betty Gore was a 30-year-old Texas housewife and grade school teacher whose brutal murder in 1980 shocked her small community and captivated the nation . On June 13, 1980, she was struck 41 times with an ax by her friend Candy Montgomery, a killing that has been the subject of multiple television dramas, including Hulu’s Candy and HBO’s Love and Death .

The case remains one of Texas’s most notorious crimes. Betty had confronted her friend about an affair she had with Betty’s husband, Allan Gore . What followed was a violent struggle that ended Betty’s life. Montgomery was acquitted of murder after claiming self-defense .

This article explores Betty Gore’s life, her family, the events that led to her tragic death, and what happened to her children in the years since.

Quick Bio Table

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Betty Gore
Known For	Murder victim at center of Candy Montgomery case
Profession	Elementary School Teacher
Nationality	American
Birthplace	Norwich, Kansas
Date of Birth	1950
Age at Death	30
Ethnicity	White
Height	There is no publicly verified information available
Marital Status	Married to Allan Gore
Children	Alisa (Lisa) and Bethany
Education	Attended college in Kansas
Net Worth	Not applicable

Who Was Betty Gore?

Betty Gore was a mother, wife, and teacher living in the small town of Wylie, Texas . She grew up in Norwich, Kansas, with two brothers, Ron and Richard, and was described as one of the most popular girls in her hometown . She was known for her “wide Hollywood smile” and her innocence .

Betty married her college math teacher, Allan Gore, in 1970 . The couple had two daughters: Alisa, born in 1975, and Bethany, born in July 1979 . Betty taught fifth grade at R.C. Dodd Middle School . Those who knew her said she always wanted to be an elementary school teacher . She was involved in school events, music, plays, and student council .

The Attack: What Happened on June 13, 1980

The Confrontation

On June 13, 1980, Candy Montgomery visited Betty Gore’s home at 410 Dogwood Drive in Wylie . Betty had discovered that Candy was having an affair with her husband, Allan, and confronted her about it .

The two women had been friends, singing together in the same church choir at the First United Methodist Church of Lucas . Their daughters were also close friends .

The Brutal Killing

During the confrontation, a physical struggle began. According to Candy Montgomery’s testimony, Betty grabbed an ax from the garage and struck her with it . Montgomery claimed she then gained control of the weapon and killed Betty in self-defense .

However, the evidence suggested a far more brutal scene. Betty was struck 41 times with the ax . An autopsy revealed that 40 of the wounds occurred while Betty’s heart was still beating . Betty was found in the utility room of her home, covered in blood .

The Discovery

Allan Gore was out of town on a business trip on the day of the murder . When he could not reach his wife, he called neighbors and asked them to check on her . Neighbors Lester Gayler and Richard Parker forced their way into the house .

What they found was horrifying. Betty’s body was in the utility room. In the other room, they discovered the Gore’s infant daughter Bethany, who had been alone in her crib for approximately 13 hours, crying and dehydrated . The baby had not been fed or changed all day .

The Trial of Candy Montgomery

The Self-Defense Claim

Candy Montgomery was arrested on June 26, 1980, and charged with murder . At her trial, she pleaded not guilty, claiming she killed Betty in self-defense .

Her defense team argued that Betty had grabbed the ax first and struck Montgomery twice. Montgomery then claimed she gained control of the ax and killed Betty during a dissociative episode triggered by childhood trauma .

The Verdict

The trial lasted eight days . The prosecution argued that Montgomery could have fled rather than striking Betty 41 times . However, the jury of nine women and three men deliberated for just over three hours before acquitting Montgomery . She was found not guilty on October 30, 1980 .

Betty’s father, Bob Pomeroy, said at the time: “I wouldn’t say I was happy with the verdict. We don’t know what happened and we never will know what happened” . Betty’s brother, Richard Pomeroy, said: “I don’t think justice was served in the least bit. I think it was a murder” .

What Happened to Betty Gore’s Children?

Alisa (Lisa) Gore

Alisa, now known as Lisa, was five years old at the time of her mother’s murder . After the trial, Allan Gore lost custody of his daughters to Betty’s parents . The girls moved from Texas to their mother’s hometown of Norwich, Kansas .

Lisa graduated from Norwich High School in 1992 . She earned an accounting degree from Kansas State University and now works as a business controller at Koch Engineered Solutions . She lives in Kansas with her husband, Jonn Harder, and their two sons, Sam and Jacob .

Bethany Gore

Bethany was less than a year old when her mother was killed . She was the baby who was found in her crib after the murder .

Bethany followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a teacher . She graduated from Wichita State University and now works as an assistant principal at Coral Academy of Science in Las Vegas . She is married to Chad Mickey and has three children . She named her second daughter Betty in honor of her late mother .

Key Takeaways

Betty Gore was a 30-year-old teacher and mother killed in 1980 .
She was struck 41 times with an ax by Candy Montgomery .
Betty confronted Montgomery about an affair with her husband, Allan .
Montgomery was acquitted of murder after claiming self-defense .
Betty’s daughters, Alisa and Bethany, were raised by Betty’s parents in Kansas .
Lisa is now a business controller, and Bethany is an assistant principal .

FAQ Section

Who was Betty Gore?

Betty Gore was a Texas housewife and elementary school teacher murdered in 1980. She was killed by her friend Candy Montgomery .

How old was Betty Gore when she died?

Betty Gore was 30 years old at the time of her death .

How was Betty Gore killed?

Betty Gore was killed with an ax. She was struck 41 times .

Who killed Betty Gore?

Betty Gore was killed by her friend Candy Montgomery .

Why did Candy Montgomery kill Betty Gore?

Candy Montgomery killed Betty Gore following a confrontation about Montgomery’s affair with Betty’s husband, Allan Gore .

What happened to Candy Montgomery?

Candy Montgomery was acquitted of murder after claiming self-defense. She left Texas three months later .

Where are Betty Gore’s daughters now?

Betty Gore’s daughters, Alisa and Bethany, were raised by Betty’s parents. Alisa is now a business controller, and Bethany is an assistant principal .

Final Thoughts

Betty Gore’s story is a tragic reminder of how quickly lives can be shattered. A devoted mother and teacher, she lost her life in a violent confrontation over an affair that should never have happened. While her killer walked free, Betty’s legacy lives on through her two daughters. They have built successful lives and families of their own, keeping their mother’s memory alive. Betty Gore may have been silenced, but her story continues to resonate with true crime audiences decades later.