Arizona authorities have charged a prominent California farmer and businessman, Michael Abatti, with the first-degree murder of his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti. Kerri, 59, was found with a fatal gunshot wound at her Pinetop, Arizona home on Nov. 20. Officials say the arrest follows a weeks-long investigation that included searches of multiple properties tied to the Abatti family.
Timeline and Allegations
According to the Navajo County Sheriff's Office, investigators believe 63-year-old Michael Abatti traveled from his home in El Centro, California, to Pinetop — an approximately seven-hour drive of more than 400 miles — on or about Nov. 20 and then returned to California afterward. Authorities announced an arrest on Dec. 23 after searches conducted on Dec. 3 produced what the sheriff's office described as a "significant amount of evidence." Michael was taken into custody by Imperial County authorities on a first-degree murder charge and is awaiting extradition to Arizona.
Background
The couple jointly owned Abatti Farms, an extensive agricultural operation with thousands of acres near El Centro. Local reporting also notes Michael Abatti has business interests in energy and real estate. The couple had been in the midst of divorce proceedings at the time of Kerri's death; court filings cited by local outlets say Michael said he was surprised when Kerri left in August 2023 while he was away on a fishing trip.
Kerri Abatti: Community Ties and Remembrance
Family members and neighbors remembered Kerri warmly in interviews with The Los Angeles Times. A former Miss Navajo and a prom queen, she was also reported to be a violinist and an active member of the Pinetop community, which has deep ties to her family. Her cousin described her as someone who "radiated light." A neighbor recalled that Kerri always greeted visitors with a smile and was mindful of others when they visited her home.
All allegations against Michael Abatti are claims at this stage; he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigation and Legal Status
The Navajo County Sheriff's Office said the Dec. 3 searches covered several properties, camp trailers and vehicles connected to the Abatti family. Officials said the evidence recovered during those searches led to the arrest. Imperial County jail records show Michael was booked on a first-degree murder charge and is being held pending extradition to Arizona.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential; the hotline operates 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Note: This report compiles information from the Navajo County Sheriff's Office, local media reports and public court filings. PEOPLE has reached out to the defense counsel for comment.
