California farming tycoon arrested in wife's killing

A California farming tycoon was arrested Tuesday connected suspicion of execution successful the shooting decease of his woman successful an Arizona upland community.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office named Michael Abatti, 63, arsenic the fishy successful the execution of his wife, 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti.

On Nov. 20, astatine astir 9:20 p.m., Navajo County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived successful Pinetop, Ariz., astatine the country of an evident homicide and recovered Kerri Ann Abatti dormant from a gunshot wound, according to the sheriff's office. Less than 2 weeks later, connected Dec. 2, detectives executed hunt warrants connected residences, properties, vehicles and campy trailers successful El Centro, Calif., that were "associated with the Abbati family."

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Michael Abatti was arrested connected suspicion of the execution of his wife, Kerri Abatti. (Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

On Tuesday, detectives provided grounds to a Navajo County Grand Jury and obtained an indictment and apprehension warrant from the Navajo County Superior Court. Michael was taken into custody that aforesaid time and was booked into the Imperial County Jail. The Navajo County Sheriff's Office said Michael was booked connected charges of violating Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1105 and first-degree murder. He is awaiting extradition to Arizona.

The location of Michael Abatti is seen Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, successful El Centro, Calif. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

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"We widen our sincere condolences to Kerri’s household and to each those affected by this tragedy," Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse said successful a statement. He thanked those who worked connected the case, arsenic good arsenic those who served connected the Grand Jury, crediting them for "helping bring justness to the Abatti family."

Michael and Kerri Abatti lived successful El Centro earlier Kerri near successful 2023 for Pinetop-Lakeside, her hometown, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Divorce filings seen by the LA Times reportedly showed that Kerri accused her hubby of blocking her attempts to get the afloat representation of their income and existent property holdings portion helium made changes to their finances without consulting her oregon her attorney. She besides claimed that she was struggling connected the monthly spousal enactment that the tribunal temporarily awarded her, according to the LA Times.

Agricultural fields successful Imperial Valley.

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Michael Abatti comes from a agelong enactment of farmers and owns 1 of the largest cultivation operations successful the Imperial Valley, according to reports. Additionally, helium reportedly served arsenic a subordinate of the Imperial Irrigation District from 2006 to 2010. He grew respective crops, including onions, broccoli and cantaloupes, CBS News reported. The outlet added that Michael and Kerri Abatti were joined successful 1992 and had 3 children.

The Imperial County Sheriff's Office did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for comment.