A US woman has narrowly escaped death after her estranged husband allegedly buried her alive.
According to deputies in Thurston County, Washington state, the 42-year-old woman showed up on neighbors' doorsteps and claimed that her husband was "trying to kill her" on Monday (October 17).
A statement from Lacey Police Department (LPD) identified the woman as Young Sook An, and her husband - against whom she has a domestic violence order - as Chae Kyong An, 53.
Sook An was first reported missing last weekend (October 16), after 911 dispatch reported hearing "muffled screaming" and "sounds of a struggle" following a call from an unknown individual. NBC News reports that Sook An says she was the person who called 911 using her Apple Watch - which Kyong An reportedly destroyed with a hammer after he dragged his wife into the garage.
The garage door was open and used duct tape was found in the residence, leading LPD deputies to believe Sook An had been kidnapped by her husband. An alert was put out, and officers canvassed the neighborhood in search of her.
According to the statement, Young An reappeared late on Monday night (12:52AM), when a local resident "was awakened by Young pounding on their door asking for help."
"Young told the residents Chae was trying to kill her," the statement explained, adding: "Thurston County Deputies responded and contacted Young who had sustained non life-threatening injuries."
The statement went on to recall Young An's version of events: "Young told Lacey Detectives Chae had kidnapped her from her residence and drove her into the woods."
Meanwhile, a declaration of probable cause filed Wednesday in Thurston County Superior Court gave the terrifying details of what Young An's husband allegedly did next.
Per the document - obtained by NBC News - Chae An stabbed his wife and then put her in a hole in the ground.
The documents add that Chae told her she was "going to die".
"After being put into the ground she could hear her husband walking around the hole and dirt being put on top of her," the document read. It went on to explain that Young An was able to survive by wiggling her head to create air pockets, then digging her way to the surface when she felt sure that several hours had passed.
She then walked for "20-30 minutes" to try and get help, yelling "my husband is trying to kill me," per the document.
"She had duct tape still wrapped around her neck, lower face and ankles," it continued, adding: "There was extensive bruising to her legs, arms and head and her clothing and hair were covered in dirt."
Per Thurston County Correction Facility's inmate database, Chae An has since been charged with first-degree assault/domestic violence, kidnapping/domestic violence, and attempted murder. He is being held without bail.