Chae Kyong An, a man from Washington state, was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for burying his estranged wife alive. He claimed that his actions were due to mental illnesses, being overmedicated, and undertreated for PTSD. In 2002, he brutally beat, stabbed, and bound his wife Young An with duct tape despite her pleas for mercy. Young managed to call 911 with her Apple Watch before Chae took her into the woods and buried her alive, she was able to dig herself out after 12 hours.
During the sentencing hearing, Young An recounted begging Chae to stop and think of their children. She mentioned living in fear since the attack and stated that her life and her children’s lives were crushed that day, leading to long-term emotional trauma and health issues. Prosecution and Young An requested a higher-end sentence for Chae, which was agreed upon by the defense through a plea deal. Chae pleaded guilty to a second-degree attempted murder charge, and his defense attorney detailed his struggles with mental illness and PTSD.
Chae’s defense attorney explained during the hearing that at the time of the attack, Chae was homeless, isolated from friends and family, and not properly treated for his PTSD, which contributed to his actions that day. He expressed regret and remorse for his actions and wished he could go back and walk away from the situation. A Thurston County Judge imposed nearly the maximum sentence on Chae and issued a no-contact order with Young An, acknowledging the horrific nature of the crime and the responsibility that Chae had accepted through his guilty plea.
The judge addressed Chae during sentencing, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime, which included preventing the victim from seeking help, assaulting, restraining, and burying her alive. The judge expressed hope that the sentence would allow Young An to move forward and focus on her emotional and mental healing along with her children. The judge commended Young An for her strength and bravery during the ordeal, stating that the hearing should mark the end of this traumatic chapter and pave the way for healing for the victim and her children.
