Authorities say remains found in Philadelphia are of missing woman Kada
Scott
[October 21, 2025]
By MARK SCOLFORO
Remains found buried in a wooded area behind an abandoned school are
those of Kada Scott, a 23-year-old woman who had been missing for about
two weeks, prosecutors in Philadelphia said Monday.
Authorities said an anonymous tip led police back to the area they
previously searched and they found the remains in a shallow grave. DNA
tests confirmed her identity.
Keon King, 21, of Dover, Delaware, has been arrested and charged with
kidnapping, stalking and other charges in Scott’s disappearance. Bail
was set at $2.5 million. Prosecutors say more charges are in the works.
A message seeking comment was left Monday for King’s defense lawyer,
Shaka Johnson.
“I am confident that homicide charges will be brought,” District
Attorney Larry Krasner said at a news conference. “But I also have an
obligation to follow the law and uphold the constitution. That means we
don’t take shortcuts.”
Prosecutors say King and Scott had cellphone contact and that a stolen
vehicle found on fire was used by King. His cellphone was in locations
related to her disappearance, prosecutor Ashley Toczylowski told
reporters. She said there is extensive video evidence in the case.
Toczylowski said an initial tip last week led investigators to the
school but they did not find Scott's remains, but a new and more
specific tip this weekend to “go back, she's there, look again” led them
to Scott.
She said authorities “have reason to believe other people may have been
involved after the fact," calling that a matter “very much still being
investigated.”
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People gather at a memorial for Kada Scott, near the abandoned Ada
H. H. Lewis Middle School Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Philadelphia,
where she was found earlier. (AP Photo/Mingson Lau)
Additional charges related to the stolen vehicle fire were filed against
King, including arson, causing or risking a catastrophe and conspiracy.
Krasner's office said in a news release that the black Hyundai Accent
had been reported stolen a day before Scott disappeared on Oct. 4. The
car was seen on video parked at a recreation center during the late
evening of Oct. 4, near where Scott's body was found.
Three days later, the Hyundai was reported to be on fire in Philadelphia
but it was compacted at a junkyard before investigators could examine
it.
King was arrested earlier this year in another case but posted $200,000
bail and was released. In the previous case, prosecutors said, King was
accused of kidnapping a woman from in front of her house and forcing her
into a car where she was assaulted and eventually let go. Those charges
were dropped when the victim and a witness did not appear for court
proceedings, Krasner said.
Scott, who worked in an assisted living facility, was remembered Monday
in a statement by her parents as a source of “light, kindness and
beautiful spirit.” They said their hearts were “shattered” and asked for
prayers. She was reported missing after leaving after an overnight
shift.
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