Pinetop, AZ: On November 20, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., deputies with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Bruin Way and Branding Iron Loop in Pinetop, Arizona, and confirmed a homicide involving 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti of Pinetop, Arizona, who died from a gunshot wound.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives completed processing of the scene and continued to develop evidence. On December 2, 2025, detectives served multiple search warrants on residences, properties, vehicles, and camp trailers associated with the Abatti family in El Centro, California. As the investigation continued, a significant amount of evidence was seized, some of which is still being analyzed, leading the detectives to identify Michael Abatti (63) of El Centro, California, as the suspect in the murder of Kerri Ann Abatti.
Detectives worked with multiple police agencies in the state of Arizona and in the state of California to develop information and evidence leading to probable cause to believe that Michael Abatti traveled from the state of California on November 20, 2025, to Pinetop, Arizona, where he is believed to have shot and killed Kerri Ann Abatti, and then immediately returned to California.
On December 23, 2025, detectives provided testimony to the Navajo County Grand Jury and obtained an indictment and an arrest warrant issued by the Navajo County Superior Court. Michael Abatti was taken into custody on the 100 block of McCabe Road, El Centro, California, on December 23, 2025, at approximately 3:20 p.m. (PST) and was booked into the Imperial County Jail on charges of violating Arizona Revised Statutes 13 – 1105, First Degree Murder, a class one felony, and is awaiting extradition to the state of Arizona.
Sheriff David M. Clouse stated, “We extend our sincere condolences to Kerri’s family and to all those affected by this tragedy. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the cooperation of the other police agencies that worked countless hours alongside our Detectives. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to recognize the men and women who served on the Grand Jury who heard the evidence and concluded that an indictment was appropriate in this case, helping to bring justice to the Abatti family.” Sheriff Clouse would like to thank Sheriff Fred Miramontes of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office in California, along with Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez, for all of their assistance in this investigation. Sheriff Clouse would also like to extend his sincere appreciation to all of the Arizona agencies that have been instrumental in this investigation, and he is grateful for their continued partnership and collaboration.