Investigators out of Navajo County, Arizona, served multiple search warrants at a Southern Californian farming magnate’s home and Imperial Valley properties in connection with the deadly shooting of his wife late last month.  

Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, was found dead from a fatal gunshot wound on Nov. 20 at around 9 p.m. in the couple’s affluent Pinetop, Arizona home, according to a news release from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.  

The 59-year-old, who is reportedly from Pinetop, had been living separately from her husband, Mike Abatti, during the couple’s ongoing divorce proceeding, which began in October 2023 when she petitioned to dissolve the 31-year marriage, citing irreconcilable differences, the Los Angeles Times reported.  

While she was seeking $30,000 a month in spousal support, the court awarded her $6,400 a month in temporary support as the value of the couple’s vast income from farming and other services, as well as real-estate holdings in California, Wyoming and Arizona, were being assessed by experts, court filings showed.  

Authorities said a search warrant was executed at Mike Abatti’s personal residence in El Centro, where Mike Abatti Farms is based, as well as multiple structures, two camp trailers and two vehicles associated with the Abatti family’s business operations.  

The Abatti family, according to The Times, owns and operates some of the largest farming operations in the Imperial Valley, where they grow cantaloupe, lettuce, broccoli, sugarbeets, onions and hay.  

The couple had donated more than $50,000 to San Diego State University, where a scholarship is offered in their name.  

According to the Desert Sun, Mike Abatti has been rewarded millions of dollars in publicly funded energy contracts and is well-connected with ties to family and friends in elected office, including a judge and district attorney, who have repeatedly made “decisions that have advanced Abatti’s private interests.”  

Very few details about Kerri Ann Abatti’s homicide have been released by investigators, nor has a suspect been named in the case.  

“These warrants were obtained and executed based on the results of the ongoing homicide investigation and evidence developed by detectives,” Navajo County investigators said. “This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Further information will be released when appropriate and when it will not compromise the integrity of the case.”  

A California radiologist and his wife were found fatally shot outside their home on Sunday, and police say his son, who later died by suicide, is the main suspect in the homicide.

The Simi Valley Police Department said in a statement that officers responded to reports of gunfire at a residence in the area and found Eric Cordes, 63, and his wife, Vickie Cordes, 66, with multiple gunshot wounds inside their open garage.

The couple was taken to a local trauma center, where they were pronounced dead.

Witnesses told detectives that the suspect approached the home’s open garage and opened fire before fleeing in a black sedan with out-of-state license plates, according to the police statement.

Detectives identified a car leaving the area and heading south that belonged to Keith Cordes, 37, the son of Eric Cordes and the stepson of Vicki Cordes, who was from Kentucky.

Police tracked the car to Chino and found that the owner of the car had set it on fire before fatally shooting himself.

While burns initially delayed the identification of the person inside the car, the San Bernardino County Medical Examiner was able to confirm that the deceased person was Keith Cordes and that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The incident remains under investigation, but detectives believe the firearm found inside Keith Cordes’ car is the same one used to shoot Eric Cordes and Vicki Cordes.

The circumstances and motive of the double homicide are not immediately clear, police said.

Adventist Health Simi Valley confirmed in a statement to NBC Los Angeles that Eric Cordes worked at the hospital as a radiologist for nearly three decades.

“The Adventist Health Simi Valley community is heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our longtime colleague, Dr. Eric Cordes, and his wife, Vicki,” the statement said. “Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years.”

The hospital’s statement continued: “Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him as we grieve this shocking loss.”

Dr. James Lin Jr., a radiologist at Focus Medical Imaging, called Eric Cordes a “respected radiologist” who worked with the group for several years, according to a statement he provided to NBC News.

“Dr. Eric Cordes was a brilliant, hard-working doctor and a respected colleague. He served the Simi Valley community and surrounding areas throughout his entire career,” Lin said. “Our entire group will be thinking of and praying for him and his family. He will surely be missed.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

A former California sheriff’s deputy suspected of fatally stabbing his 11-year-old son was shot and killed by law enforcement officers on Tuesday after he led them on a car chase along Interstate 5, authorities said.

Police in Elk Grove, near Sacramento, responded around 8 a.m. to a call from a mother who said she was concerned about the safety of her two children after seeing home security footage of their father assaulting their 11-year-old son, officials said.

Responding officers found the boy with stab wounds, police said. He later died at a hospital. His 6-year-old sister was unharmed.

Their father had fled the scene and was spotted driving south on I-5, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

A pursuit ended in a crash near Lodi when the California Highway Patrol deployed a spike strip. After the crash, the suspect was shot by officers, officials said.

He died at a hospital.

The Elk Grove Police Department confirmed to KCRA-TV that the deceased suspect is 40-year-old Marvin Morales, a former Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy.

He had been fired from the agency in February 2024 after being caught using illicit drugs, sheriff’s Sgt. Amar Gandhi told reporters.

At least two deputies were involved in Tuesday’s shooting, Gandhi said.

Elk Grove police said one of their officers was also involved.

No deputies or officers were hurt.

It wasn’t immediately known if Morales fired at law enforcement.

Officials said a gun safe at the suspect’s home was found empty.

The shooting is under investigation.