Key Takeaways
- Michael Abatti, a 63-year-old California farmer, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti.
- The couple was in the process of getting a divorce and was sparring over finances, with Kerri requesting an increase in temporary spousal support from $5,000 to $30,000 per month.
- Michael Abatti claimed he couldn’t afford the increase due to bad farming years and rising shipping costs, but later agreed to increase the payments to $6,400 per month.
- The couple had a long and complicated history, with Kerri filing for divorce in 2023 and Michael having a history of health issues, including a near-fatal infection in 2009.
Introduction to the Case
A prominent California farmer, Michael Abatti, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, in a remote mountain community in Arizona. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest, stating that Michael Abatti was booked into jail on a first-degree murder charge and is awaiting extradition to Arizona. Authorities believe that Michael Abatti drove to Arizona on November 20 and fatally shot Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, before returning home to California. Her body was found in her family’s vacation home in Pinetop, Arizona, where she had been living after splitting with her husband.
The Abatti Family Background
Michael Abatti comes from a long line of farmers in the Imperial Valley region of California, which is known for growing leafy greens, melons, and forage crops. His grandfather, an Italian immigrant, was among the region’s early settlers, and his father, Ben, helped start the Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association. The Abatti name is well-known in the region and is tied to farming enterprises, scholarship funds, and leadership in local boards and groups. Michael Abatti has grown onions, broccoli, cantaloupes, and other crops in the Imperial Valley and served on the board of the powerful Imperial Irrigation District from 2006 to 2010.
The Couple’s Marriage and Divorce
Michael and Kerri Abatti were married in 1992 and had three children together. However, the couple split in 2023, and Kerri filed for divorce in proceedings that were pending in California at the time of her death. The couple was sparring over finances, with Kerri telling the court that they had lived an upper-class lifestyle during their marriage, owning a large home in California, a vacation home in Pinetop, and ranch land in Wyoming. Kerri also stated that they had vacationed in Switzerland, Italy, and Hawaii and had sent their children to private school. After the split, Kerri was granted $5,000 a month in temporary spousal support, but she later asked for an increase to $30,000, saying she couldn’t maintain her standard of living.
Financial Disputes and Custody Battles
The couple’s financial disputes were a major point of contention in their divorce proceedings. Kerri claimed that she was struggling to make ends meet and needed an increase in temporary spousal support to maintain her standard of living. She also asked for an additional $100,000 in attorney’s fees. Michael Abatti, on the other hand, claimed that he couldn’t afford the increase due to bad farming years and rising shipping costs. He stated that European shifts in crop-buying to support war-plagued Ukrainian farmers and unusually cold and wet winters had taken a toll on his monthly income. Despite this, Michael Abatti later agreed to increase the temporary spousal support payments to $6,400 per month.
Michael Abatti’s Health Issues and Background
Michael Abatti has a history of health issues, including a near-fatal infection in 2009 caused by a flesh-eating bacteria. He was hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma for treatment. He also studied in the agricultural business management program at Colorado State University in Fort Collins before returning to California. According to a 2023 book about water issues written by his college friend, Craig Morgan, Michael Abatti’s experiences and background have shaped his views on farming and water management.
Investigation and Extradition
The investigation into Kerri Ann Abatti’s death is ongoing, and authorities are working to extradite Michael Abatti to Arizona to face charges. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office has searched Michael Abatti’s home in El Centro, California, as part of the investigation. Michael Abatti’s attorney has not responded to requests for comment, and it is unclear how the case will proceed. As the investigation continues, more details about the events surrounding Kerri Ann Abatti’s death are likely to emerge, shedding light on the complex and troubled history of the Abatti family.
