{"id":36775,"date":"2023-09-11T16:23:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T14:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1887163"},"modified":"2023-09-12T06:43:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T04:43:31","slug":"love-death-true-story-who-is-candy-montgomery","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/love-death-true-story-who-is-candy-montgomery\/","title":{"rendered":"Love & Death true story \u2013 who is Candy Montgomery?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The role is played in the series by Elizabeth Olsen, but is Candy Montgomery a real-life figure? <\/p>

By James Hibbs\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 11 September 2023 at 14:23 PM<\/p>

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True crime drama Love & Death<\/a>, which stars Marvel\u2019s Elizabeth Olsen<\/a> in its central role, is now available to stream in full on ITVX, having previously been released in the US on HBO Max.<\/p>\n

The series tells the story of Candy Montgomery, a Texas housewife who had an affair with a fellow church member, and who was later accused of murder.<\/p>\n

The series features a star-studded cast and has been created by David E Kelley, the prolific producer whose most recent hits have included Nine Perfect Strangers<\/a> and The Lincoln Lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But is the series based on a true story? Read on for everything you need to know about the real-life inspiration behind Love & Death.<\/p>\n

Is Love & Death based on a true story?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Elizabeth\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Love & Death.<\/span><\/figcaption> HBO Max<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It is. Love & Death is based on the true story of Candy Montgomery, a housewife from Texas who in 1980 became the prime suspect in a murder investigation.<\/p>\n

The series, which first debuted on HBO Max (now renamed Max) earlier this year, stars Elizabeth Olsen as Candy, while Jesse Plemons plays the central role of Allan Gore.<\/p>\n

Other major roles are played in the series by Lily Rabe,\u00a0Patrick Fugit and Krysten Ritter. Plemons is currently nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the Emmys<\/a> for his role in the series.<\/p>\n

Who is Candy Montgomery?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Elizabeth\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Elizabeth Olsen plays Candy Montgomery in Love & Death.<\/span><\/figcaption> HBO Max for ITV<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Candy Montgomery is a woman who, in the 1970s when living as a housewife in Texas<\/a>, became close with fellow housewife Betty Gore after meeting her at a church service.<\/p>\n

As the pair bonded and their families spent more time with each other, Candy also became close with Betty\u2019s husband Allan, who she allegedly started having an affair with.<\/p>\n

It has been reported that Allan ended the affair in 1979 after it had gone on for a number of months \u2013 he reportedly attended a church marriage enrichment programme<\/a> with Betty, as they were having another baby together.<\/p>\n

It all came to a head on 13th June 1980, when Candy reportedly offered to take Betty\u2019s daughter Alisa to a swimming lesson after the girl had stayed the night at her house. Candy visited Betty\u2019s house to collect Alisa\u2019s swimsuit, and while there it is claimed that Betty confronted her about the affair.<\/p>\n

Betty was later found dead, having been struck with an axe 41 times<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Candy immediately became the investigation\u2019s prime suspect, as she was understood to be the last person who saw Betty alive. When Allan confessed his affair with Candy to the police, she was arrested and charged with Betty\u2019s murder.<\/p>\n

The subsequent trial saw Candy represented by Don Crowder, a lawyer from her church who enlisted Dr Fred Fason, a psychiatrist and clinical hypnotist, to help uncover Candy\u2019s memories of the night.<\/p>\n