January 2, 2026 • 5 mins
A well-known farmer from California, Michael Abatti, has been extradited to Arizona and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his estranged wife.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alard hourly update breaking crime news Now. I'm Nicole Parton.
A well known farmer from California, Michael Obodi has been
extradited to Arizona and has pleaded not guilty to a
charge of first degree murder in connection with the shooting
death of his estranged wife. The sixty three year old
entered his plea on Wednesday, December thirty one, during his
(00:22):
initial court appearance at the Navajo County Superior Court held
in California. Last month, the victim, Carrie n a Body
fifty nine, was discovered dead at their second residence in Arizona,
where she had relocated following their separation. Currently, a body
is being held at the Navajo County Jail on a
(00:43):
bond set at five point five million dollars according to
the prosecutors. His attorneys expressed their concerns regarding a Body's
health and stated that if he were to be released,
he would continue his medical treatment while adhering to the
conditions of the bond. We urged the post public to
refrain from forming judgments. He remarked. For many years he
(01:04):
has been a respected member of the community, actively supporting
charitable initiatives and deserves a fair trial, just like anyone
else facing serious allegations. Authorities alleged that on November twenty
a body traveled from California to Arizona, committed the murder,
and then returned to California shortly after. The Navajo County
(01:26):
Sheriff's office announced on December twenty three that they conducted
searches of various residents, properties, vehicles, and camp trailers linked
to the Abodi family in California, recovering a significant amount
of evidence that contributed to Michael Abodi's arrest. Regarding the motive,
Sheriff David Klaus stated during a subsequent press conference that
(01:49):
he couldn't pinpoint a specific reason, but acknowledge the couple's
impending divorce. The one clear factor is that there is
a divorce underway and they were unable to reach an agreement,
said the sheriff.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, I mean, I can't get into the specifics, but
I think one of the big things was she was
living alone and she had left her husband and was
living in Pine Top and was working through a divorce
that had been dragging on for a couple of years.
Was the glaring things that were poking out the.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Couple owned a body farms in California. As reported by
The Desert Sun, which accessed their divorce documents, Michael reportedly
found the divorce unexpected, claiming that Carrie had left him
in August twenty three while he was on a fishing trip.
A pre trial conference and hearing regarding the possibility of
release is set for March seventeen at the Navajo County
(02:43):
Superior Court. Well Crime and Justice News. After this, a
tribute of roses and sunflowers has begun to take shape
outside the home of doctor Spencer and Monique Tea b
in Wynland Park, near Columbus. Police say they are investigating
(03:05):
the couple's tragic double homicide. On Tuesday morning, officers arrived
at the residence on North fourth Street for a welfare
check after concerns were raised that doctor Spencer, whose thirty seven,
did not report to work at Athens Dental Depot, where
he served as a dentist. Doctor Mark Valrose, the owner
(03:26):
of Athens Dental Depot, contacted emergency services, noting that the
doctor was known for his reliability and had not informed
anyone of a planned absence and would not return phone calls.
When police entered the home, they discovered both doctor Spencer
and his wife, Bonique, thirty nine, dead with apparent gunshot wounds.
There were no signs of forced entry, and no weapon
(03:48):
was located at the scene. Authorities do not currently suspect
the incident as a murder suicide, but believe it was
a murder. According to police records, the initial call to
the Columbus Police Department it occurred around nine oh three am.
An officer arrived on the scene around nine twenty two,
but there was no response. Shortly after, several coworkers arrived
(04:09):
to check on the doctor, with one friend making a
follow up call to police at nine point fifty seven
am after hearing children crying inside the home without receiving
an answer at the door. Moments later, this individual reported
witnessing Spencer's lifeless body near the bed. There's a body inside.
The friend urgently informed the dispatcher, our friend wasn't answering
(04:31):
his phone. We came in, we did a welfare check.
They're dead. Police later confirmed that two children were found
safe inside the home. Recent records revealed that Spencer had
sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while his wife, Monique had at
least one gunshot wound to the chest. The couple, who
married in twenty twenty one, was just a month away
(04:53):
from marking their five year anniversary. Spencer's brother in law,
Rob Malish, shared their wedding video with ABA, where the
couple exchanged their vows, saying the couple were an ideal family,
loving and cherished. Detective Wiinner is leading the investigation with
support from Detective Miller. Authorities are urging anyone with information
(05:14):
to reach out to the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at
six one four six four five four seven three zero.
For the latest crime and justice news. Follow Crime Alert
hourly updates on your favorite podcasting app with this crime Alert.
I'm Nicole Partner
Crime Alard hourly update breaking crime news Now. I'm Nicole Parton.
A well known farmer from California, Michael Obodi has been
extradited to Arizona and has pleaded not guilty to a
charge of first degree murder in connection with the shooting
death of his estranged wife. The sixty three year old
entered his plea on Wednesday, December thirty one, during his
(00:22):
initial court appearance at the Navajo County Superior Court held
in California. Last month, the victim, Carrie n a Body
fifty nine, was discovered dead at their second residence in Arizona,
where she had relocated following their separation. Currently, a body
is being held at the Navajo County Jail on a
(00:43):
bond set at five point five million dollars according to
the prosecutors. His attorneys expressed their concerns regarding a Body's
health and stated that if he were to be released,
he would continue his medical treatment while adhering to the
conditions of the bond. We urged the post public to
refrain from forming judgments. He remarked. For many years he
(01:04):
has been a respected member of the community, actively supporting
charitable initiatives and deserves a fair trial, just like anyone
else facing serious allegations. Authorities alleged that on November twenty
a body traveled from California to Arizona, committed the murder,
and then returned to California shortly after. The Navajo County
(01:26):
Sheriff's office announced on December twenty three that they conducted
searches of various residents, properties, vehicles, and camp trailers linked
to the Abodi family in California, recovering a significant amount
of evidence that contributed to Michael Abodi's arrest. Regarding the motive,
Sheriff David Klaus stated during a subsequent press conference that
(01:49):
he couldn't pinpoint a specific reason, but acknowledge the couple's
impending divorce. The one clear factor is that there is
a divorce underway and they were unable to reach an agreement,
said the sheriff.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, I mean, I can't get into the specifics, but
I think one of the big things was she was
living alone and she had left her husband and was
living in Pine Top and was working through a divorce
that had been dragging on for a couple of years.
Was the glaring things that were poking out the.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Couple owned a body farms in California. As reported by
The Desert Sun, which accessed their divorce documents, Michael reportedly
found the divorce unexpected, claiming that Carrie had left him
in August twenty three while he was on a fishing trip.
A pre trial conference and hearing regarding the possibility of
release is set for March seventeen at the Navajo County
(02:43):
Superior Court. Well Crime and Justice News. After this, a
tribute of roses and sunflowers has begun to take shape
outside the home of doctor Spencer and Monique Tea b
in Wynland Park, near Columbus. Police say they are investigating
(03:05):
the couple's tragic double homicide. On Tuesday morning, officers arrived
at the residence on North fourth Street for a welfare
check after concerns were raised that doctor Spencer, whose thirty seven,
did not report to work at Athens Dental Depot, where
he served as a dentist. Doctor Mark Valrose, the owner
(03:26):
of Athens Dental Depot, contacted emergency services, noting that the
doctor was known for his reliability and had not informed
anyone of a planned absence and would not return phone calls.
When police entered the home, they discovered both doctor Spencer
and his wife, Bonique, thirty nine, dead with apparent gunshot wounds.
There were no signs of forced entry, and no weapon
(03:48):
was located at the scene. Authorities do not currently suspect
the incident as a murder suicide, but believe it was
a murder. According to police records, the initial call to
the Columbus Police Department it occurred around nine oh three am.
An officer arrived on the scene around nine twenty two,
but there was no response. Shortly after, several coworkers arrived
(04:09):
to check on the doctor, with one friend making a
follow up call to police at nine point fifty seven
am after hearing children crying inside the home without receiving
an answer at the door. Moments later, this individual reported
witnessing Spencer's lifeless body near the bed. There's a body inside.
The friend urgently informed the dispatcher, our friend wasn't answering
(04:31):
his phone. We came in, we did a welfare check.
They're dead. Police later confirmed that two children were found
safe inside the home. Recent records revealed that Spencer had
sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while his wife, Monique had at
least one gunshot wound to the chest. The couple, who
married in twenty twenty one, was just a month away
(04:53):
from marking their five year anniversary. Spencer's brother in law,
Rob Malish, shared their wedding video with ABA, where the
couple exchanged their vows, saying the couple were an ideal family,
loving and cherished. Detective Wiinner is leading the investigation with
support from Detective Miller. Authorities are urging anyone with information
(05:14):
to reach out to the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at
six one four six four five four seven three zero.
For the latest crime and justice news. Follow Crime Alert
hourly updates on your favorite podcasting app with this crime Alert.
I'm Nicole Partner
Host
Nancy Grace
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