Leslie Chance, Calif. school principal, arrested in murder of husband

(CBS/AP) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Leslie Jenea Chance, an elementary school principal in California, has been arrested for investigation of murder after her husband's body was found in a Bakersfield field by a farm worker.

Kern County sheriff's investigators said the 46-year-old Chance was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of her husband, Todd Chance, who died of multiple gunshot wounds. She is being held without bail.

Todd Chance, 45, was found early Sunday and his 2011 Ford Mustang that was reported missing was discovered abandoned about 20 miles away.

Authorities wouldn't release any details about motive or evidence against Leslie Chance but they said the murder weapon had been recovered. There's no indication anyone else was involved in the slaying.

Leslie Chance is principal of Fairview Elementary School that has about 525 students. She had reportedly been working in the school district since 1997.

Greenfield Union School District Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Kenneth R. Chichester said Friday that he and the school staff were shocked by the news and that many of the staff believed authorities had arrested the wrong person, the Bakersfield Californian reports.

Chichester reportedly described Leslie Chance as knowledgeable, a hard worker, well-respected and quiet. He said he spoke with her after hearing of her husband's death and that she seemed subdued and in a daze, the paper reports.

She is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon, according to the paper.