A tragic incident has stirred the community of Pinetop-Lakeside as authorities investigate the shooting death of Kerri Ann Abatti, the estranged wife of a well-known farmer. The ongoing divorce proceedings between Kerri and Michael Abatti, which many close to the couple mentioned during interviews, are central to the investigation.
Michael Abatti, 63, was detained last week in El Centro, California. He is accused of traveling to Pinetop on November 20 and allegedly committing the crime before returning to his home state. Authorities have yet to disclose the specifics of the events leading up to Kerri’s death.
Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse commented on the lack of a clear motive, stating, “Different theories will come up. The only thing that’s glaring that I think everybody already knows is there’s a divorce in place and they weren’t able to come to a resolution. But I can’t speak exactly to what the motive would be.”
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
Michael Abatti’s legal representative, Owen Roth, emphasized his client’s cooperation with authorities and his presumption of innocence. Roth noted, “Our client is in his mid-60s and has significant health issues, and we continue to worry about his well-being. We ask the public to respect his privacy and constitutional rights and reiterate that this case will be decided based on the evidence by a jury.”
An autopsy indicated that Kerri Abatti died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her nephew, who discovered her, recounted hearing a loud noise shortly before finding her unresponsive. Investigators identified a “circular defect” on a window, suggesting the shot was fired from outside the home.
Despite requests for further details, both the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the medical examiner’s office in Coconino County have not provided additional comments. Kerri Abatti was related to early Latter-day Saints settlers in the area, and her divorce proceedings were underway in California at the time of her death.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities searched Michael Abatti’s residence in Southern California on December 2. His family has deep roots in the agriculture sector of the Imperial Valley, a region heavily reliant on Colorado River water. Michael Abatti previously held a position on the board of the Imperial Irrigation District.
The 31-year marriage between the Abattis saw disputes, especially regarding finances. Kerri highlighted their affluent lifestyle, with properties across three states and international vacations. Initially, she received $5,000 in temporary spousal support, later seeking an increase due to financial difficulties.
Michael Abatti contested the financial claims, attributing his reduced income to unfavorable farming conditions, including market changes and rising costs. Eventually, he agreed to raise the support to $6,400 monthly.
—
Read More Arizona News
