The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office arrested 63-year-old Michael Abatti on Dec. 23, charging him with first-degree murder in the Nov. 20 shooting death of his estranged wife, 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti, in Pinetop, Arizona. Investigators say the victim was struck by a bullet fired through a broken backyard window, and evidence suggests the suspect traveled from California to Arizona the day of the killing. A multi-agency probe included a multi-day scene processing, witness canvasses and search warrants in California; Abatti remains in custody awaiting extradition and plans to plead not guilty.
California Farming Heir Arrested After Wife Was Shot Through Home Window, Authorities Say
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The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office announced that 63-year-old Michael Abatti of El Centro, California, was arrested on Dec. 23 and charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 20 death of his 59-year-old estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, in Pinetop, Arizona. Authorities say Kerri was struck by a bullet fired through a broken backyard window and died before reaching a hospital.
Investigation and Timeline
Deputies responded to a 911 call the night of Nov. 20 and found Kerri Abatti inside her home suffering from a gunshot wound. Neighbors reported hearing a loud boom shortly after 9 p.m.; investigators later determined the sound was a gunshot consistent with a large-caliber weapon. A medical examiner’s investigative report cited by news outlets indicates the bullet entered from the backyard after a window was broken.
This booking photo provided by the Imperial County Sheriff's Office shows Michael Abatti on Dec. 23, 2025.
Evidence and Multi-Agency Probe
Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse said detectives followed evidence that pointed to Abatti’s movements on the day of the killing and the day after. Clouse told reporters investigators had "strong reason to believe" Abatti drove from California to Arizona on Nov. 20, committed the homicide, and returned to California shortly afterward. Authorities declined to disclose specific details of that evidence while it remains under analysis.
Detectives processed the Arizona home for four days, canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses and surveillance footage, interviewed family members, friends and business associates in Arizona and Southern California, and executed multiple search warrants in California connected to the Abatti family. Items seized during those searches are undergoing forensic analysis.
Bruce Tucker of the Navajo County Sheriff's Office speaks during a news conference in Holbrook, Ariz., on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, about a recent arrest in the death of Kerri Ann Abatti, the estranged wife of prominent Imperial Valley, Calif., farmer Michael Abatti.
Background: Family, Divorce and Financial Dispute
Local reporting and court records show the couple separated in 2023. Kerri Abatti moved back to her hometown and filed for divorce in California; the case was pending at the time of her death. Divorce filings reviewed by Fox 10 allege that Kerri accused Michael of withholding financial information and said she struggled to maintain her standard of living on temporary spousal support. Michael Abatti opposed increasing those payments, citing financial strain on the family farming operation.
Current Status
Abatti remains in custody in California awaiting extradition to Arizona. His attorneys have said he plans to plead not guilty and have expressed concerns about his health. Authorities have not released a timeline for his transfer to Arizona to face formal charges.
The Associated Press and other outlets contributed reporting to this story.
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