😱 FROM BEAUTY QUEEN TO TRAGIC VICTIM: Former Miss Navajo County shot dead in her $1.6M mountain retreat… as her “King of the Imperial Valley” farming tycoon husband allegedly drives cross-state for a cold-blooded execution amid a vicious divorce war over millions!

He traded a sprawling empire for handcuffs – arrested just days before Christmas after cops say he traveled to Arizona, pulled the trigger, and raced back home the same night.

Bitter fights over spousal support, hidden fortunes, and a 31-year marriage shattered… Was she “digging too deep” into his wealth?

Chilling new details emerge, including searches that uncovered damning evidence. Is this greed, betrayal, or something darker?

Full explosive story + what the family empire is hiding 👇 This one’s straight out of a nightmare.

Michael Abatti, a 63-year-old influential farmer from one of California’s most prominent agricultural families, was arrested Tuesday in El Centro on charges of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, authorities announced.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona confirmed the arrest followed a grand jury indictment earlier that day. Abatti was taken into custody without incident around 3:20 p.m. at a business location and booked into the Imperial County Jail, where he awaits extradition to Arizona.

Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound on November 20, 2025, at the couple’s vacation home in the mountain community of Pinetop, Arizona. Deputies responded to a 911 call from a family member inside the residence around 9:20 p.m. and confirmed the homicide. She was pronounced deceased en route to the hospital.

Investigators allege Michael Abatti traveled from California to Arizona on the day of the shooting, committed the act, and returned to California immediately afterward. The case marks a dramatic turn in what authorities describe as an ongoing probe involving multiple jurisdictions.

The Abattis had been married for 31 years, tying the knot in April 1992. They jointly owned Mike Abatti Farms, a major operation in the Imperial Valley cultivating thousands of acres of crops including onions, broccoli, cantaloupes, sugar beets, alfalfa, and melons. The family business has deep roots in the region, with Michael’s grandfather an early Italian immigrant settler and his father instrumental in establishing local agricultural associations.

Michael Abatti has long been a key figure in Imperial Valley agriculture and politics. He served on the board of the Imperial Irrigation District from 2006 to 2010 and has been involved in high-profile disputes over water rights, including lawsuits against the district. His enterprises extend to energy, with a company securing multimillion-dollar contracts for battery storage and proposals for large solar farms.

The couple separated in August 2023, with Kerri filing for divorce in October of that year citing irreconcilable differences. Court records from Imperial County Superior Court reveal ongoing proceedings focused on finances and spousal support. Kerri had moved full-time to the Pinetop home, a $1.6 million property in the White Mountains, while Michael remained in California.

In filings, Kerri described a lifestyle of international travel, multiple properties in California, Arizona, and Wyoming, and significant assets. She estimated shared real estate worth around $30 million but reported limited personal funds. Michael claimed a monthly income of approximately $22,000 from the family business and cited recent poor farming years impacting finances.

The divorce was dismissed shortly after Kerri’s death due to her passing.

On December 2, Navajo County detectives, assisted by the FBI and local agencies, executed multiple search warrants on Abatti family residences, properties, vehicles, and camp trailers in El Centro. A significant amount of evidence was seized, some of which remains under analysis. Authorities have not detailed the items but stated the evidence led to identifying Michael as the suspect.

Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse praised the inter-agency cooperation, thanking counterparts in Imperial County and other Arizona entities. The grand jury heard testimony Tuesday morning, resulting in the indictment and warrant.

Kerri Ann Abatti was remembered fondly in her hometown of Pinetop, a community founded by her ancestors in the late 1800s as part of early Mormon settlements. Described as radiating warmth and kindness, she was a talented violinist in her youth, a cheerleader, prom queen, and crowned Miss Navajo County during high school. She earned a scholarship to the University of Arizona for music but later pursued real estate and emergency medical training before focusing on family and bookkeeping for the Abatti business.

Friends and relatives in Pinetop expressed shock at her death, noting her thoughtful nature and deep community ties. In the Imperial Valley, the Abatti name carries substantial influence through farming dominance, charitable contributions, and political involvement. Some residents have declined public comment, citing potential social or business repercussions.

The case has drawn attention amid broader discussions of domestic disputes escalating fatally, particularly in high-asset divorces. Nationally, spousal homicides remain a concern, though rare in such publicized agricultural circles.

Michael Abatti’s attorney has not issued a public statement. He remains in custody without bond pending extradition proceedings.

The Imperial Valley, often called America’s winter salad bowl for its year-round production of leafy greens and other vegetables, relies heavily on Colorado River water allocations. The Abatti family’s century-long presence includes contributions to infrastructure like the All-American Canal.

Kerri’s death has reverberated through both communities she called home. Vigils and tributes in Pinetop highlighted her legacy as a devoted mother of three and pillar of support.

Authorities continue to process evidence and have urged anyone with information to contact the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. No additional suspects are being sought, and the probe focuses on the indicted charge.

As extradition moves forward, the case is expected to proceed in Navajo County Superior Court. Prosecutors there will handle the first-degree murder allegation, which carries severe penalties under Arizona law.

This incident underscores the challenges of cross-state investigations and the impact of personal conflicts on prominent families. For now, the Imperial Valley farming community and Pinetop residents await further developments in a case blending wealth, separation, and tragedy.