Shooting Death Of Powerful CA Farmer's Wife Spurs Investigation: Report

IMPERIAL VALLEY, CA — The wife of a powerful Golden State farmer was found suffering from a gunshot wound in her Arizona home last month. She died while being transported to a hospital.

The death of Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, has shaken the tight-knit Imperial Valley community, where her husband, Mike Abatti, operates large tracts of farmland in what is often called “America’s winter salad bowl,” The Los Angeles Times reported.

Several months before her death, Kerri texted her husband that she planned to file for divorce, the Times reported, citing filings that show the couple had become entrenched in an acrimonious court battle.

No suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests have been made. However, authorities told the Times they are aware of the couple’s contentious divorce proceedings.

“We’re not sure if it’s involved or not,” Chief Deputy Brian Swanty of the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office told the Times.

“There are numerous things being looked at to try to find the truth and find facts and bring justice to this woman that was killed,” Swanty said.

On Dec. 2, detectives served search warrants at the couple's El Centro home, according to a release from the Navajo County Sheriff's Office.

Swanty told the Times that numerous pieces of potential evidence were seized, but nothing was considered to be "a smoking gun."

Read more from the Los Angeles Times: The killing of the wife of a powerful California farmer sparks grief and an investigation

Anyone who may have information is urged to contact the Navajo County Sheriff's Office at 928-524-4050.

"Detectives will continue speaking with neighbors and following up on leads," the department said last week.