PINETOP-Navajo County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants in California tied to the Abatti family as part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti, who filed for divorce from her husband, Imperial Valley agribusiness executive Michael Abatti.
The death of 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti in her Pinetop home last month has drawn investigators hundreds of miles west to California’s El Centro in Imperial County, where her estranged husband, Michael Abatti, runs a long-standing farming operation.
Less than two weeks later, on December 2, detectives with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants in El Centro, seizing evidence from properties, vehicles, and trailers connected to the Abatti family and their businesses.
“Based on evidence and information obtained during the investigation, detectives with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office executed several search warrants on December 2, 2025, in El Centro, California,” the agency said in a written statement.
“These warrants involved structures, properties, and vehicles associated with the Abatti family and their business operations. Detectives also executed a warrant at the residence of Michael Abatti on Aurora Drive, as well as at two camp trailers and two vehicles tied to the family. The case remains an active and ongoing homicide investigation,” the agency continued in a written statement.
Court records obtained by Mountain Daily Star show that Kerri Abatti filed for divorce from her husband on October 13, 2023. She filed a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial, citing irreconcilable differences after 31 years of marriage. The petition, prepared by attorney Sandra L. Mayberry of Cage & Miles, LLP, listed April 4, 1992, as the couple’s marriage date and August 24, 2023, as their separation date.
In her filings, Kerri requested spousal support and attorney’s fees, noting that she had been a homemaker since 1999 after previously working as a bookkeeper and administrative assistant.
In her February 2025 filing, Kerri Abatti pressed the court to make her spousal support payments retroactive to the day she filed for divorce, arguing that she had done everything required to preserve her right to support. Through her attorney, Abatti told the court she had entered a stipulation with her husband months earlier and had since borne the full cost of living “well below the marital standard.”
The memorandum asked the judge to recognize that she had been left without support since the separation and cited California case law allowing retroactive temporary support when one spouse controls the bulk of the couple’s income and assets.
Michael Abatti’s declaration, filed in early 2025, described his role as owner and principal of Mike Abatti Farms, LLC, noting long work hours and business interests across multiple agricultural operations in the Imperial Valley.
Michael Abatti’s financial filings also reference a large family trust and life insurance arrangement that remained active during the divorce. According to court records, the couple’s community estate received an annual annuity from American National Insurance Company, used to pay premiums on a $3 million Prudential life insurance policy held under the Abatti Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. The policy lists James Abatti as trustee, with Michael and Kerri Abatti as the insureds and their three children as beneficiaries.
The divorce, filed under Case No. EFL005532, remains active.
A hearing initially set for April 2025 was continued to December 12, 2025. A hearing Kerri will not attend due to her death.
Officials have not announced any arrests or identified any suspects. The Sheriff’s Office said the case remains open and asked anyone with information to contact (928) 524-4050.
