A California agricultural tycoon has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife in a small mountain community in Arizona, authorities said.
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office identified 63-year-old Michael Abatti as the suspect in the shooting death of his wife, 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti. Deputies were called to a residence in Pinetop, Arizona, around 9:20 p.m. on November 20, where they discovered Kerri Abatti dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
Following the incident, investigators served multiple search warrants on December 2 at homes, vehicles, and properties linked to the Abatti family in El Centro, California. On Tuesday, a Navajo County grand jury indicted Michael Abatti, leading to his arrest and booking into the Imperial County Jail on charges of first-degree murder under Arizona law. He is awaiting extradition to Arizona.
In a statement, Sheriff David Clouse offered condolences to the victim’s loved ones and thanked detectives and grand jury members for their efforts in seeking justice for the Abatti family.
Court documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times revealed that the couple had been embroiled in divorce proceedings, with Kerri alleging financial misconduct by her husband. She claimed that he restricted her access to information regarding their income and real estate holdings and had altered their finances without informing her or her attorney.
Michael Abatti, a prominent figure in the Imperial Valley’s agricultural industry, operates one of the region’s largest farming enterprises. He previously served on the Imperial Irrigation District board from 2006 to 2010 and was known for cultivating crops such as onions, broccoli, and cantaloupes. The couple, married since 1992, shared three children.
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately comment on the case.