A man named Chae Kyong An from Washington state has been sentenced to over 13 years in prison on Friday for burying his estranged wife alive.
An attributed his horrific attack to his mental illnesses and being “overmedicated and undertreated” for PTSD. Despite his claims, the judge sentenced him to a lengthy prison term.
Chae Kyong An viciously assaulted and bound his wife, Young An, with duct tape in 2022, ignoring her pleas for mercy. She managed to contact 911 using her Apple Watch before being taken to the woods, where Chae buried her alive in a shallow grave and covered her with dirt.
During Chae’s sentencing hearing, Young recounted her desperate pleas to him, urging him to think of their children. She endured 12 hours trapped in the grave before summoning the strength to dig herself out, as reported by KING 5.
Young described the lasting impact of the attack, expressing fear for herself and her children. She stated that their lives were shattered that day, leaving her with emotional trauma and ongoing health issues.
Young and the prosecution urged the judge to impose a sentence on the higher end of the range, which was agreed upon by the defence as part of a plea deal. Chae pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree attempted murder in early March.
Chae’s defence attorney addressed the courtroom, highlighting his client’s struggles with mental illness and PTSD, which he claimed influenced his actions. At the time of the attack, Chae was homeless, isolated, and inadequately treated for his PTSD, according to his attorney.
Chae expressed remorse in court, stating that he wished he could go back and avoid the events of that day.
Despite his remorse, a Thurston County Judge handed him nearly the maximum sentence and ordered a no-contact order with Young An.
The judge characterised the crime as horrific, acknowledging Chae’s acknowledgement of responsibility through his guilty plea.
The judge also hoped that the sentence would facilitate Young’s healing process, recognising her strength and bravery throughout the ordeal.
