Farming mogul arrested in killing of estranged wife in Arizona

A prominent farming magnate is awaiting extradition after being arrested in connection with the killing of his estranged wife in Arizona.

(NBC)- A prominent farming magnate is awaiting extradition after being arrested in connection with the killing of his estranged wife in Arizona.

Authorities say 63-year-old Michael Abatti was taken into custody last week and is accused of fatally shooting Kerri Abatti at the couple’s property in Arizona’s White Mountains. Investigators believe Abatti traveled nearly 400 miles from California before the shooting.

“This is difficult anytime we lose someone in our community, especially close to the holidays,” said Bruce Tucker, Deputy Chief with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

While investigators have not released a motive, officials say the couple was in the middle of a contentious divorce.

“The only thing that’s glaring — and I think everybody already knows — is there was a divorce in place,” said Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse. “They weren’t able to come to a resolution.”

Court records show Kerri Abatti filed for divorce in 2023. She had been receiving $5,000 per month in spousal support and was seeking an increase to $30,000. A judge later ruled the amount would be $6,400 per month.

In a court filing, Kerri wrote that she went from living “in a beautiful home with a pool in El Centro” to living on a rural property in Arizona, struggling to afford utilities and chopping wood to stay warm.

The killing has rocked California’s Imperial Valley, where the Abatti family has owned and operated thousands of acres of farmland for more than a century.

NBC News reports Michael Abatti is currently being held in California and is expected to be extradited to Arizona to face charges. His attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.