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The investigation into the Todd Chance murder revealed a complex web of motives and deceit, ultimately resulting in the conviction of his wife, Leslie Jenea Chance.
Leslie, who had previously struggled as a single mother working various low-paying jobs, achieved great success as an elementary school principal through her intellect and perseverance.
However, prosecutors alleged that Jenea used these traits to cover up her involvement in Todd’s murder.
Jenea was raised in Bakersfield and had previously been married to her high school sweetheart until discovering his infidelity while pregnant.
After becoming a single mother at the age of 22, Jenea worked multiple jobs while obtaining her teaching degree, including a position as a drugstore cashier, where she met Todd, a security guard.
The couple was wed in 1996, a year following their first date.
Bullman, Jenea’s daughter from a previous relationship, has fond memories of Todd, a father figure to her.
Todd drove trucks while Jenea finished her teaching degree, and following her certification, Jenea was quickly promoted from teaching to administration and eventually became the principal of Fairview Elementary School.
Who was Todd Chance? What happened to him?
Born on March 10, 1968, Todd Chance was a devoted father to his three daughters, Jessica, Sarah, and Samantha. He was passionate about motorcycles, cars, and trucks and worked as a truck driver.
Todd was married to Leslie Chance, an elementary school principal, and his spouse for 17 years.
Tragically, on August 25, 2013, Todd’s life was cut short when his body was discovered in an almond orchard.
Tire marks matching Todd’s 2011 Ford Mustang were found nearby, but the vehicle was missing. Postmortem examination results revealed that Todd had been shot twice at close range.
According to reports by Dateline NBC, law enforcement officials later located Todd’s abandoned car at an intersection roughly 20 miles away. The vehicle was unlocked, and Todd’s revolver was discovered on the floorboard.
Following the discovery of Todd Chance’s body in a Bakersfield almond orchard, law enforcement officials worked to piece together the events leading up to his demise.
With the aid of CCTV footage from the intersection where Todd’s car was discovered and eyewitness accounts, authorities were able to unravel the mystery surrounding his untimely death quickly.
Residents informed the police that a middle-aged individual had abandoned the vehicle, prompting officials to scour all available surveillance footage for clues.
However, despite examining the footage thoroughly, the suspect’s gender remained unknown as their clothing did not provide any clear indication.
The suspect had gone to great lengths to evade law enforcement, including calling a taxi from a public phone and changing their attire on multiple occasions.
Eventually, the suspect’s trial led the authorities back to Todd and Leslie Chance’s residence, resulting in Leslie being considered a suspect in the case.
However, what motivated Leslie to commit such a crime remained unanswered.
Who killed Todd Chance?
Leslie Chance was taken into custody on August 29, 2013, on suspicion of murdering Todd Chance, as stated in court documents.
The authorities alleged that Leslie had plotted to kill Todd to collect his life insurance policy. However, the District Attorney’s office later ordered the Sheriff’s Office to review the case further, resulting in Leslie’s release.
During their investigation, law enforcement officers discovered naked photographs and text messages exchanged between Todd and his ex-fiancée on his phone.
Consequently, Leslie’s motives for killing her spouse appeared to have expanded.
Three years later, Leslie was rearrested and charged with first-degree murder. After a lengthy legal battle, Leslie Chance was found guilty of murdering her husband in September 2020.
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