Authorities in Arizona have filed a first-degree murder charge against California agribusiness executive Michael Abatti, more than a month after his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, was found dead in her home.
Kerri, 59, was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound at her residence in Pinetop, Ariz., on Nov. 20, according to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
In an update issued Tuesday, Dec. 23, the sheriff’s office said Michael, 63, was arrested in connection with her death. Multiple outlets — AZ Central, CNN and The Los Angeles Times — reported that the couple was in the midst of divorce proceedings at the time.
Investigators allege Michael drove from El Centro, Calif., to Pinetop — a trip of roughly seven hours and more than 400 miles — to kill Kerri and then returned to California shortly afterward, the sheriff’s office said.
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Family members and neighbors described Kerri as warm and generous.
“She was one of those people who radiated light,” her cousin Cathy Penrod told The Los Angeles Times. “I don’t know how else to describe her. She was love and she was light.”
Kerri, a former Miss Navajo and prom queen, was also reported to be a violinist known for her thoughtfulness and consideration toward others, according to The Los Angeles Times. Her family has deep roots in Pinetop, which was founded by her ancestors, and she returned to the area after the separation, the outlet reported.
Neighbor Rebecca Lopez told the outlet that Kerri was often smiling and would even ask visitors to drive slowly so they wouldn’t kick up dust onto Lopez’s home and vehicles.
Michael and Kerri jointly owned Abatti Farms, which includes thousands of acres in El Centro and grows a variety of crops, the Desert Sun reported. The outlet also reported that Michael has financial interests in energy and real estate.
According to court filings cited by the Desert Sun, Michael said the divorce caught him off guard, and that Kerri left in August 2023 while he was away on a fishing trip.
Michael drew scrutiny early in the investigation. On Dec. 3, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said it was searching multiple properties, as well as camp trailers and vehicles connected to the Abatti family. In its Dec. 23 statement, the agency said investigators seized “a significant amount of evidence” during those searches, which led to Michael’s arrest.
Michael was taken into custody by Imperial County, Calif., officials and booked into a local jail on the first-degree murder charge. Authorities said he is awaiting extradition to Arizona.
