California farmer arrested on suspicion of murder in wife's death in Arizona

A prominent California farmer was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife in a remote mountain community in Arizona, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office said

A prominent California farmer was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife in a remote mountain community in Arizona, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office said.

Michael Abatti, 63, was arrested in El Centro and booked into jail on a first-degree murder charge. He is awaiting extradition to Arizona.

Authorities say they believe he drove to Arizona on Nov. 20 and fatally shot Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, before returning home to California. She was found dead in her family's tree-shrouded vacation home in Pinetop, Arizona, where she moved after splitting with her husband.

Attorneys for Michael Abatti said in a Wednesday statement that he "has devoted himself to his family, to his work, and to his community" and will be entering a not-guilty plea.

His attorneys added they are "deeply concerned" about his health, as he suffers from numerous medical conditions requiring ongoing treatment and access to specialized care.