UPDATE: Authorities have confirmed that DNA testing has linked human remains discovered in Germantown, Philadelphia, to missing woman Kada Scott. The remains were located behind a vacant school near Awbury Arboretum on Saturday, October 14, following an intense search prompted by a “very specific” anonymous tip received overnight.
First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford reported that officers returned to the scene around 10 a.m. and uncovered the remains in a shallow grave within a heavily wooded area. The medical examiner’s office has taken custody of the remains, which Stanford indicated appeared to be those of a female. The identification process is currently underway.
Police have also recovered surveillance footage linked to the investigation from a nearby recreation center. This discovery follows earlier findings from a search on Wednesday, where investigators located physical evidence, including Scott’s debit card and a phone case.
“We have been in communication with her family as to this process and in the fact that we have recovered a human being,” said Stanford.
The search for Scott intensified after she was reported missing on the night of October 4, shortly after leaving her job at an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill. Keon King, a 21-year-old from Southwest Philadelphia, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping in connection with her disappearance. He is currently held on $2.5 million bail.
King’s arrest prompted a surge in tips from the public, with authorities working to determine the nature of his relationship with Scott. Earlier reports indicated that Scott had expressed concerns about being harassed, though it remains unclear if King was involved in those incidents.
Additionally, King faces refiled charges from a previous case involving an alleged kidnapping and assault earlier this year. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the earlier charges were dropped when the victim did not appear in court, but now they plan to pursue them again. D.A. Larry Krasner acknowledged the challenges faced in the previous case, stating, “We could have done better in that. A really sophisticated approach to the case would have been to try to put it all in with video evidence.”
In a separate incident, a viral video captured King behaving suspiciously, which included him knocking on windows while a person inside urged others to call the police. Krasner pointed out that King’s ability to post bail in that case likely contributed to the victim’s decision not to testify.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to provide any additional information related to Scott’s case by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477). The community remains on high alert as detectives piece together the facts surrounding Scott’s disappearance.
This developing situation has sparked widespread concern and interest as investigators work diligently to bring justice for Kada Scott and her family. Updates are expected as more information comes to light.
