California agronomist Michael Abatti is accused of shooting and killing in Arizona

More than a month after a woman was found shot to death in an Arizona home, investigators say newly discovered evidence has taken the case across state lines and into California.

A homicide investigation that began in Pinetop, Arizona, has expanded into a multi-agency case and led to the arrest of Michael Abatti, 63, of El Centro, California.

Navajo County Sheriff’s Office investigators have released new information about the shooting death of Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, who they say was shot through a window in her Arizona home on Nov. 20.

Deputies who responded to a 911 call on the night of November 20 found Kerri Abatti suffering from a gunshot wound in her home. He was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, investigators said.

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According to the Los Angeles Times, neighbor Corey McGarrahan and his wife were watching television after nine o’clock at night when they heard a loud noise outside that they thought was a propane explosion.

“We paused the TV and looked at each other and said, ‘Did you hear that?'” McGarrahan told the outlet.

Investigators later determined that the sound was a gunshot. Kerri Abatti, a longtime member of the Pinetop community, was seriously injured.

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Michael Abatti has been arrested for murdering his wife, Kerri Abatti. (Jay Calderon/Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Court records and authorities said the couple was in the midst of an acrimonious divorce at the time of the murder, with financial support at the center of the dispute.

According to Navajo County investigators, evidence developed during the investigation led detectives to believe that Michael Abatti traveled from California to Arizona on the day of the incident and returned to California shortly thereafter.

Sheriff David Clouse told reporters during a December 29 news conference that detectives are focusing on where Abati was on the day of his murder and the day after. Although he declined to disclose specific evidence, Clouse said investigators had “strong reason to believe” Abatti took the trip, killed, and returned to California, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Bruce Tucker of the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office speaks during a news conference in Holbrook, Ariz., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, regarding the latest arrest in the death of Kerri Ann Abatti, the estranged wife of Imperial Valley, Calif., farmer Michael Abatti. (Suzanne Adams-Okrassa/White Mountain Independent via AP)

Kerri Abatti was found inside her home by her nephew who lived in the area, authorities said. According to the medical examiner’s investigation report cited by the Los Angeles Times, the nephew initially believed he may have fallen and did not know he had been shot.

Investigators found a broken window and determined that a bullet had been fired outside the home, in the backyard. An onlooker also reported hearing a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot, the Times reported.

Navajo County officials revealed the scope of the investigation during a Dec. 29 news conference following Abatiti’s arrest. FOX 10 Phoenix reported that detectives worked with multiple law enforcement agencies in Arizona and California as the case crossed state lines.

Clouse said investigators spent four days searching the Arizona home and canvassing neighbors for witnesses, surveillance video and other evidence. Detectives also interviewed family members, friends and business associates in Arizona and Southern California.

“There are a lot of pieces that put the puzzle together for us,” Clouse said. “We went door to door, everywhere in between.”

Authorities say detectives have served multiple search warrants on the Abatiti family in California, seizing evidence that is still being processed.

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Michael Abatti’s home is seen on Friday, December 12, 2025, in El Centro, Calif. (Photo by Gregory Bull/AP)

According to the Associated Press, Abatti comes from a multi-ethnic farming family in California’s Imperial Valley, where the family name has long been associated with agribusiness and community leadership.

Court records obtained by FOX 10 show the couple separated in 2023, with Kerri Abatti returning to her hometown and filing for divorce in California. The case remained pending at the time of his death.

Divorce papers, reviewed by FOX 10, show Kerri accusing her husband of withholding financial information and said she is struggling to maintain her standard of living with spousal support as the case continues.

Michael Abatti opposed the increase in those payments, citing financial difficulties in the farming industry.

According to the Associated Press, Abatti’s lawyers said he plans to enter a plea of ​​not guilty and expressed concern for his health.

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Abatti remains in custody in California, awaiting extradition to Arizona. Authorities have not said when he will be brought back to face the charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicide and immigration crime. Send news tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.