Chae Kyong An, a man from Washington State, was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for brutally beating, stabbing, and burying his estranged wife alive in a horrific attack in 2002. He blamed his actions on mental illnesses and being “overmedicated and undertreated” for PTSD. Despite her pleas for mercy, Young An was beaten, bound with duct tape, and buried by Chae in a shallow grave in the woods. She managed to call 911 with her Apple Watch before digging herself out after 12 hours.
During the sentencing hearing, Young An recounted pleading with Chae to stop and think of their children. She spoke about the emotional trauma and health issues she now faces for the rest of her life and how her life and her children’s lives were forever changed by the attack. Both Young An and the prosecution asked for a sentence on the higher end of the range, and a plea deal was reached with Chae pleading guilty to second-degree attempted murder. His defense attorney spoke about his struggles with mental illness and PTSD at the time of the attack.
Chae, who was homeless and isolated from friends and family at the time of the attack, expressed regret and remorse for his actions, stating that he wished he could go back and walk away. The judge handed down nearly the maximum sentence and imposed a no-contact order between Chae and Young An. The judge acknowledged the horrific nature of the crime and the impact it had on the victim, expressing hope that the sentence would allow her to move forward and focus on her emotional and mental healing for herself and her children.
The defense attorney detailed Chae’s mental health struggles, emphasizing his client’s remorse and the regret he feels for his actions. Chae addressed the courtroom, expressing a desire to turn back time and avoid the attack. The judge recognized the strength and bravery of the victim and the trauma she endured during the 12 hours she spent buried alive. She encouraged the victim to focus on healing and moving forward, closing the chapter on this traumatic event. The sentencing marked the end of a legal process that sought justice for the victim while addressing the mental health challenges faced by the perpetrator.