In a chilling case of domestic violence, a judge has handed down a sentence of more than 13 years in prison to a man who attempted to kill his estranged wife by burying her alive, authorities have revealed.
Chae Kyong An, 54, recently pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder and domestic violence, as reported by The Olympian.
Court records detailed the harrowing incident, stating, “On October 16, 2022, in the County of Thurston, Washington, with the intent to cause the death of my wife Young Sook An, I took a substantial step towards the commission of the offense when I kidnapped her from our home, took her to the woods, assaulted her and placed her bound in a hole and covered her with branches.”
During sentencing, Judge Mary Sue Wilson imposed a term of 165 months in prison along with 36 months of community custody, according to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The ordeal began when Chae An’s estranged wife sought refuge at a stranger’s residence on the early morning of October 17, 2022, frantically reporting that her husband was attempting to end her life, as per KIRO-TV. She was discovered with duct tape wrapped around her neck, lower face, and ankles, with dirt covering her body and hair.
Reports indicated that Young An had endured beatings, stabbings, and the terrifying experience of being buried alive in the woods. She recounted to investigators that Chae An’s aggression escalated during an argument about their impending divorce and financial matters. Despite managing a brief 911 call via her Apple Watch, she was unable to speak due to the tape covering her mouth.
Further accounts revealed that Chae An destroyed Young An’s watch and transported her to a wooded area, where he proceeded to assault her and bury her alive. Remarkably, she managed to free herself from the bindings and escape after hours of confinement.
Chae An’s defense attorney, Michael Austin Stewart, described his client as a highly decorated military intelligence warrant officer with over three decades of service. Stewart noted that Chae An suffers from PTSD, a condition acknowledged by both state and defense psychological evaluations.
The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office expressed hope that the conclusion of the case would provide the victim with the opportunity to focus on healing from the traumatic ordeal.
This egregious act of violence underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and resources to combat domestic abuse and support survivors.
