A California farming executive is alleged to have shot his wife through the window of their $1.6 million ranch home, following accusations that she was concealing significant assets amid their contentious divorce proceedings.
Michael Abatti, aged 63, is accused of killing his spouse, Kelly Ann Abatti, on November 20 in Pinetop, Arizona.
He was taken into custody on December 23 in El Centro, California, after investigators from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office uncovered evidence linking him to the incident.
Authorities discovered a shattered window at the upscale ranch and suspect that the deadly shot was fired from that location.
During the couple’s divorce, the former Miss Navajo County’s death came as they were embroiled in disputes regarding the farming magnate’s assets.
According to police reports, Abatti allegedly traveled to Arizona from California, fatally shot his wife, and returned shortly after. He is currently being held in California’s Imperial County, where he manages a large agricultural operation, awaiting extradition to Arizona.
Documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times reveal that the wife accused Abatti of obstructing her efforts to learn about his earnings and property. She claimed he made alterations to her assets without her or her attorney’s knowledge.
In the divorce filings, she mentioned her struggles with limited monthly spousal support, which was temporarily granted by the court earlier in the year.
After their separation, she returned to her hometown in California, where her family has lived for over a century. She had a notable high school career, being prom queen, student body president, and even the drum major for the school band during her senior year. In 1984, she was crowned Miss Navajo County and awarded a scholarship to study music education at the University of Arizona.
