Human remains discovered on Saturday in a shallow grave at an abandoned Philadelphia school have been confirmed as 23-year-old Kada Scott, who had been missing since 4 October.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office confirmed the tragic news during a press conference on Monday morning, whilst announcing upgraded charges against Keon King, the suspect in Scott’s disappearance and death.
King, 21, who was previously charged with kidnapping in relation to Scott’s disappearance, now faces a raft of additional serious charges including arson causing catastrophe, conspiracy and tampering with evidence.
Body Found Following Anonymous Tip
Scott’s remains were discovered in a deeply wooded area behind Ada H. Lewis Middle School, an abandoned school near Awbury Arboretum in Germantown around 10am on Saturday.
Police made the grim discovery after receiving a “very specific” anonymous tip overnight, First Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department John Stanford told reporters during a press conference on Saturday evening.
The tip led investigators directly to the shallow grave where Scott’s body had been concealed in the heavily wooded grounds of the derelict school.
Stanford said police were in touch with Scott’s family following the discovery of the remains, delivering the devastating news they had been dreading since she vanished more than two weeks ago.
Upgraded Charges Against Suspect
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced on Monday that King now faces multiple serious charges:
- Arson causing catastrophe
- Conspiracy
- Unauthorised use of an automobile
- Tampering with evidence
- Recklessly endangering another person
- Receipt of stolen property
The upgraded charges suggest investigators have uncovered significant additional evidence about what happened to Scott after she disappeared.
King remains in custody and is being held in connection with the murder investigation.
Young Mother Vanished After Leaving Work Early
Scott was last seen by her mother on 4 October when she was leaving for work at a nearby nursing home, police said earlier this month.
On the evening of 4 October, Scott arrived at her shift at the care facility but left prior to her shift’s completion, Philadelphia police Captain John Craig said during a press conference earlier this month.
It was not clear what time Scott left work, but officials said her shift typically ran from 10pm to 6am.
Her early departure from work and subsequent disappearance immediately sparked concern amongst family and colleagues who knew something was seriously wrong.
Victim Had Been Harassed Prior to Disappearance
In a chilling revelation, investigators disclosed that Scott had been experiencing harassment in the days before she vanished.
“In the days leading up to her disappearance, Ms Scott related to her family and friends that an unknown individual or person had been harassing her via phone,” Captain Craig said.
Officials said evidence shows Scott was “in communication with an individual” whom they identified as King, and that she appeared to meet with him “very shortly after” she left work on 4 October.
The evidence suggests King may have lured Scott to meet him after her shift, with tragic consequences.
Timeline of Disappearance
The timeline pieced together by investigators paints a disturbing picture of Scott’s final hours:
- 4 October, evening: Scott leaves home for her 10pm-6am nursing home shift, last seen by her mother
- Early hours of 4/5 October: Scott arrives at work but leaves before completing her shift
- Shortly after leaving work: Evidence shows Scott met with King
- Following days: Scott’s family report her missing after she fails to return home
- Mid-October: King arrested and charged with kidnapping
- 19 October (Saturday): Anonymous tip leads police to Scott’s remains
- 21 October (Monday): Remains confirmed as Scott, upgraded charges filed against King
Family’s Nightmare Confirmed
For Scott’s family, who had been desperately searching for answers since she disappeared, the discovery of her remains represents the worst possible outcome.
Her mother, who last saw her daughter leaving for work on what seemed like an ordinary evening, must now come to terms with the fact that Kada never made it home safely.
The 23-year-old’s life was cut tragically short, leaving behind grieving family members and friends who are struggling to comprehend what happened.
Investigation Continues
Whilst King remains the primary suspect and now faces murder-related charges, investigators continue piecing together exactly what happened after Scott left work.
The charge of arson causing catastrophe suggests fire may have been involved in the crime, potentially in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The conspiracy charge indicates authorities believe King may not have acted alone, raising the possibility of additional arrests.
Charges of tampering with evidence and unauthorised use of an automobile suggest a complex sequence of events following Scott’s death.
Anonymous Tip Proved Crucial
The “very specific” anonymous tip that led police directly to Scott’s burial location has proven crucial to solving the case.
Without that information, her remains might have lain undiscovered for much longer in the remote, heavily wooded area behind the abandoned school.
Police are likely working to identify the source of the tip, as that person may have critical information about what happened or could potentially be involved in the crime.
Abandoned School Site
Ada H. Lewis Middle School, where Scott’s body was found, is an abandoned building whose isolated location and overgrown grounds provided cover for the burial.
The deeply wooded area behind the school would be difficult to access and unlikely to be frequented by members of the public, making it a calculated choice for concealing a body.
The proximity to Awbury Arboretum, a 55-acre public garden and historic site in Germantown, means the area has some foot traffic, yet the specific burial site was remote enough to avoid discovery for over two weeks.
Community in Shock
The Germantown community and wider Philadelphia area have been shaken by Scott’s murder and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The fact that a young woman could be lured to her death shortly after leaving work has raised concerns about safety and the dangers posed by harassers and stalkers.
Scott’s case highlights the very real dangers women face from persistent harassment, which in this instance appears to have escalated to kidnapping and murder.
Questions Remain
Many questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues:
- What was the nature of King’s harassment of Scott before her death?
- Did anyone else assist in the crime, as suggested by the conspiracy charge?
- What role did fire play, as indicated by the arson charge?
- How long had King been targeting Scott?
- Could intervention at an earlier stage have prevented this tragedy?
As prosecutors build their case against King, Scott’s family faces the agonising process of saying goodbye to their daughter whilst seeking justice for her brutal murder.
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