In a shocking development, 63-year-old farming magnate Michael Abatti has been taken into custody, charged with the first-degree murder of his estranged wife, former beauty queen Kerri Ann Abatti. The arrest comes approximately a month after Kerri Ann was tragically gunned down inside her $1.6 million home.
A Month-Long Investigation Culminates in Arrest
Michael Abatti was arrested in Imperial Valley, California, around 2 pm on Tuesday. He is currently being held in jail in Imperial County, awaiting extradition to Arizona, where the murder occurred. The couple, married for 31 years, were embroiled in a bitter and protracted divorce battle at the time of Kerri Ann's death.
The Life and Legacy of Kerri Ann Abatti
Kerri Ann Abatti was a woman of many accomplishments, crowned Miss Navajo County in 1984. That same year, as a senior at Blue Ridge High School, she was prom queen, student body president, the band's drum major, and won first place in the talent show. Her title earned her a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Arizona to study music education and studio performance.
Although she did not graduate from college, she obtained an Arizona real estate license in 1989 and also held an EMT firefighting license. According to divorce documents, she worked as an office manager and handled her family's bookkeeping before leaving both roles in 1999 to focus full-time on raising the couple's young family—a decision her husband reportedly supported at the time.
Financial Strife at the Heart of a Bitter Divorce
The divorce filings painted a picture of intense financial conflict. Kerri Ann had accused her husband of concealing the truth about their finances and making significant changes to their assets without consulting her or an attorney. She expressed struggling to get by on just a few thousand dollars in monthly spousal support, while alleging that Michael was hiding properties and other assets.
Following their separation, Kerri Ann had moved back to her hometown in California. As reported by the LA Times, her family had deep roots in the area, stretching back over a century. Her tragic death has left the community in mourning for the former beauty queen whose life was cut short amidst legal turmoil.
The case continues to develop as authorities prepare to extradite Michael Abatti to Arizona to face the first-degree murder charge. The arrest marks a significant step in a case that has gripped public attention, highlighting a tragic end to a three-decade-long marriage that disintegrated into acrimony and violence.
