PINETOP, AZ (AZFamily) — A farming mogul accused of killing his estranged wife in Pinetop was extradited to Arizona and booked into jail Wednesday.
Michael Abatti, 63, was booked into the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office jail on Wednesday morning. He is facing one charge of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti.
On Dec. 23, a Navajo County grand jury indicted Michael, and an arrest warrant was issued. Authorities extradited him from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Jail in El Centro, California, to Holbrook, Arizona. His initial court appearance is set for 9:30 a.m.
Kerri and Michael were married for about 30 years and built a life for themselves in his hometown, with three children who are now adults and live on their own. Kerri was reportedly living alone after in Pinetop after separating from Michael two or three years ago.
The suspect in a high-profile Pinetop murder case has been extradited from California and booked into a Navajo County jail.(Navajo County Sheriff’s Office)
First responders were called to the Navajo County home on Nov. 20 after one of Kerri’s relatives called to report a medical emergency, Navajo County Sherriff David Clouse explained.
According to an autopsy report released Monday, Kerri was found unconscious on the floor near her kitchen by her nephew, who told investigators he had heard a loud sound before finding her. Her cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators searched properties, vehicles, and trailers associated with the Abatti family in El Centro on Dec. 2. Deputies said information and evidence led them to believe Michael traveled from California to Pinetop, shot and killed Kerri, and then immediately went back to California.
“Different theories will come up,” Sheriff Clouse said of the motive on Monday. “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.”
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