UPDATE: The parents of Kada Scott are devastated following the discovery of their daughter’s body at a former school in East Germantown on Saturday, October 7, 2023. In a press statement, they expressed, “Our hearts are shattered, yet we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people across the nation and around the world.”
Authorities have charged Keon King, 21, with kidnapping Scott on October 4, and he now faces additional charges of arson for allegedly setting fire to the stolen vehicle used in the abduction. Surveillance footage captured King parking a stolen Hyundai Accent at the Awbury Recreation Center around 10:30 p.m. on the night Scott was last seen. Investigators say he returned two days later to retrieve her body and ignited the vehicle near the 7400 block of Ogontz Avenue.
Scott, 23, disappeared shortly after arriving for her shift at an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill. Her car was located in the parking lot, but she never completed her shift. Investigators believe King was the last person to have contact with her, although the nature of their relationship remains unclear.
On Friday, investigators returned to the school near Awbury Arboretum after receiving an anonymous tip. After a thorough search, they located Scott’s remains in a shallow grave along a wooden fence that separates the school from the recreation center. The discovery was aided by critical information from her Apple Watch, and DNA testing confirmed her identity through her parents.
King was arrested on Tuesday and is currently in custody with bail set at 10% of $2.5 million. This marks a troubling pattern, as he was previously arrested in April for kidnapping and strangling another woman, but those charges were dropped after key witnesses failed to appear in court. District Attorney Larry Krasner criticized the cash bail system, stating that King had the means to pay for his release “almost immediately,” which can intimidate witnesses.
Krasner remarked, “We could have relied on TikTok videos in the earlier case, but pursuing that route is not usually straightforward.” He is currently campaigning for his third term against Republican Pat Dugan in the upcoming November election.
As the investigation unfolds, the Scott family and the community are mourning the tragic loss of a young woman whose life was cut short. The emotional weight of this case has drawn national attention, with many expressing their condolences and support for the family during this unimaginable time.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story continues to unfold.
