Prominent Farmer Arrested After Estranged Wife’s Fatal Shooting
A well-known California farming executive, 63-year-old Michael Abatti of El Centro, was taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of murdering his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, at her residence in Pinetop, Arizona. Law enforcement charged him with first-degree murder following a multistate investigation into the deadly November shooting.
According to authorities, investigators believe Abatti traveled from California to the remote Arizona community on Nov. 20 and fatally shot Kerri before returning to California the same night.
Investigation Spurs Arrest and Extradition Plans
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office secured an indictment from a grand jury, prompting an arrest warrant for Abatti, who was located in El Centro and booked into a California jail. He is currently awaiting extradition to Arizona to face the murder charge.
Earlier in the probe, detectives executed multiple search warrants at residences, vehicles and associated properties tied to the Abatti family in Southern California, collecting evidence linked to the shooting.
Background: Ongoing Divorce and Dispute Over Support
Kerri Ann Abatti had relocated to her Pinetop mountain home after the couple’s separation and was in the midst of divorce proceedings that included disputes over finances and spousal support. Court filings previously detailed disagreements about support payments and property division.
The rural Arizona community where Kerri lived is known for its forested landscapes and tight-knit local ties, making the violent incident all the more shocking for residents.
