The remains found buried in a wooded area behind an abandoned school are those of Kada Scott, a 23-year-old woman who had been murdered. Missing For about two weeks, Philadelphia prosecutors said Monday.
An anonymous tip led police to the area they had previously searched, and they found the remains in a shallow grave, authorities said. DNA tests confirmed her identity.
Keion King, 21, of Dover, Delaware, was arrested and charged to kidnapand 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 attorney, Shaka Johnson.
“I am confident that murder charges will be filed,” 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 were in contact via cellphone and that King used the stolen car that was found on fire. Prosecutor Ashley Toczylowski told reporters that his cellphone was at locations related to her disappearance. She said there was extensive video evidence in the case.
Tozilovsky said an initial tip last week led investigators to the school, but they did not find Scott’s remains, but a new, more specific tip this weekend – “Back, it’s there, look again” – led them to Scott.
She said authorities “have reason to believe that other people may have been involved after the incident,” and described the matter as “still largely under investigation.”
Additional charges related to the stolen vehicle fire were brought 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 one day before Scott disappeared on Oct. 4. The car was seen on video parked at a recreation center late in the evening on October 4, near where Scott’s body was found.
Three days later, a Hyundai was reported to have caught fire in Philadelphia, but was compressed into 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 in front of her home and forcing her into a car, where she was assaulted and eventually abandoned. Those charges were dropped when the victim or a witness did not appear in court, Krasner said.
Scott, who worked at a long-term care facility, was remembered Monday in a statement issued by her parents as a source of “light, kindness and a beautiful spirit.” They said their hearts were “broken” and asked for prayers. She was reported missing after leaving after a night shift.