Prominent California Farmer Pleads Not Guilty To Fatally Shooting Estranged Wife | Crime Alert 6AM 01.07.2026
episodePreviously titled “Prominent California farmer pleads not guilty to fatally shooting estranged wife at her Arizona home” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 3, 2026
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This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human. For Crime Alert, I'm Nancy Grace. A prominent California farmer pleads not guilty to murdering his wife, Carrie Ann Abadi. The accused husband, Michael Abadi, comes from a long line of farmers in the crop-rich Imperial Valley. Nearly Uncovered Evidence takes the case over state lines and directly to the farm mogul.
What happened when a prominent California farmer allegedly shot his estranged wife in Arizona?
The couple, in the midst of a bitter divorce, of course, money the main issue. Straight out to Drew Nelson for more.
Nancy, investigators say Michael Abadi, 63, traveled from El Centro, California to Pinetop, Arizona on November 20th, shot his wife, and then drove back to California the same day. He was arrested days later and remains in custody awaiting extradition. Carrie Ann Abadi, 59, was found unconscious on the floor of her family's $1.6 million hilltop home by her nephew, who called 911 after hearing a loud noise. She later died at the hospital from the gunshot wound to the head. Investigators say evidence at the scene showed the fatal shot likely came from outside the house. A damaged window and trajectory analysis led detectives to believe the bullet was fired from the yard. The case quickly expanding back across the California state line.
Detectives executed multiple search warrants at properties tied to a body in California and Arizona and interviewed family members, friends, and business associates. Authorities say the couple's divorce proceedings surfaced repeatedly during those interviews. Court records show the Abadis had been locked in a two-year legal battle over spousal support and finances following their separation in 2023. Carrie Abadi had asked the court to increase her monthly support from $5,000 to $30,000 and sought $100,000 in attorney's fees, writing in filings that she struggled to afford utilities and maintain the Arizona property. Michael Abadi countered that his farming operation had suffered losses and argued that he could not pay more.
A judge later raised the support to $6,400 a month. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive, but the unresolved divorce remains a central backdrop. Authorities believe Michael Abadi acted alone. He was taken into custody in Imperial County without incident and is expected to be transferred to Navajo County to face a first-degree murder charge. His attorneys say he maintains his innocence and plans to plead not guilty, urging the public to respect his constitutional rights as the case moves toward trial.
Thanks, Drew. More crime and justice news after this.
A North Carolina teacher is dead after calling 911 to report an intruder in her home, then being attacked while still on the line. Zoe Welsh, age 57, was a longtime biology teacher at Ravenscroft School. Police say she called 911 early Saturday morning from her home on Clay Street in Raleigh to report someone had broken in. When she was speaking with dispatchers, the intruder assaulted and beat her. Officers arrived minutes later. Welsh was rushed to a hospital where she later died. Flowers and notes now line the front of her home. Friends describe her as a bright light in the classroom and a devoted mother. Olivia Alvarez, who had known Welsh for years and worked at her home as a house cleaner, remembers her smile and her kindness.
Here she is speaking with WTVD. She was always happy. She was the sweetest lady in the world. You want to know why Alvarez says learning the break-in happened in a house she worked in every week has shaken her sense of safety.
I always feel safe on every house but
No, I'm just kidding. Students and staff at Ravenscroft released a statement saying Welsh's loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of learning in her classroom. Police have arrested Ryan Camacho, age 36, and charged him with murder and felony burglary. Court records show Camacho has a lengthy criminal history, including dozens of arrests and a 2021 conviction for escaping prison in Salisbury. Just weeks ago, a separate breaking and entering case was dismissed after he was found incapable to proceed and a request for voluntary commitment was denied.
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