A man from Washington state admitted to burying his estranged wife alive and received a sentence of over 13 years on Friday. Chae Kyong An, 54, attributed his violent actions to mental illnesses and being “overmedicated and undertreated” for PTSD.
In 2022, Chae brutally beat, stabbed, and duct-taped his wife, Young An, despite her pleas for mercy. Young managed to call 911 using her Apple Watch before being taken to a wooded area where Chae buried her alive.
During the sentencing hearing, Young recounted begging Chae to think of their children and lay in the grave for 12 hours before digging herself out.
Young and her children still live in fear, with emotional trauma and health issues affecting their lives. She requested a harsh sentence for Chae, who pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder.
Chae’s defense attorney highlighted his client’s struggles with mental illness and PTSD, stating that these factors influenced his actions on the day of the attack. Chae expressed regret and remorse in court.
The judge imposed a near-maximum sentence and ordered Chae to have no contact with Young. The judge acknowledged the severity of the crime and hoped the sentence would aid Young in moving forward and focusing on emotional healing.
