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Woman buried alive by ex-husband uses Apple Watch to call for help before digging her way out of grave

When the police found her, the victim was still tied with gaffer tape that was 'wrapped around her neck, lower face and ankles'

THURSTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON: A woman who was buried alive by her ex-husband was saved thanks to her Apple Watch that she still had on during the incident. After 53-year-old Chae Kyong An tied up his ex-wife and buried her in a shallow grave, she displayed some quick thinking to fight for her survival. 

Using her Apple Watch's Emergency SOS feature, she managed to call for help. When authorities found her, she stepped out from behind a shed at her house in Lacey and told the Thurston County Sheriff’s deputy, "My husband is trying to kill me," reports the Daily Star. 

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As per the police reports, the victim was still tied with gaffer tape that was "wrapped around her neck, lower face and ankles." She has also suffered injuries, and there was "extensive bruising to her legs, arms and head and her clothing and hair were covered in dirt." As it turns out, she had met up with her ex-husband to discuss financial matters relating to their divorce. It was then that he allegedly attacked her, tied her up, and drove her to a remote location in a van. 

The victim told the police that she could hear him digging, after which he threw her into the hastily dug grave and put a "heavy tree on top of her." Next, he covered her with dirt and left after burying her alive. She revealed that she managed to create a small air pocket to breathe and dug herself out of the grave over the next few hours. 

This was not the first time Chae Kyong An had tried to murder his ex-wife. She told police that he would rather "kill her than give her his retirement money." He has been arrested and is charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree assault. He is being held without the possibility of bail. Emergency operators who responded to the victim's call reported that they heard a woman "screaming." She also sounded as though she had been "gagged."