Well-known Imperial Valley farmer to be extradited for Pinetop murder

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA) - A press conference began Monday morning after the arrest of a well-known Imperial Valley farmer arrested for murder.

The Navajo County Sheriff's Office shared that 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti’s nephew found the victim shot at her home in Pinetop, Arizona.

The victim was pronounced dead at Show Low Hospital in Navajo County.

The Sheriff’s Office released a timeline, explaining that investigators spent four days searching the home, interviewing family members and reviewing nearby surveillance video.

“We have a strong reason to believe that Mr. Abatti traveled from El Centro, California on November 20th to Pinetop, Arizona, committed the homicide and traveled back to California early that morning of the 21st,“ said Sheriff David Clouse.

Law enforcement says the victim had moved back to Pinetop, Arizona three years ago in the process of her separation from the suspect Michael Abatti.

Abatti is currently being held at Imperial County Jail waiting to be extradited to Arizona.

He is being charged with first-degree murder.