UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, DNA testing confirms that remains discovered in Philadelphia are linked to missing woman Kada Scott. Authorities found the body on Saturday, October 14, behind a vacant school near Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, following a tip that reignited hopes in a case that has gripped the community.
Just hours after the remains were unearthed, First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford announced that investigators are actively working to confirm the identity. The body, believed to be that of a female, was located in a shallow grave in a wooded area, and the medical examiner’s office is now handling the investigation.
Stanford emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating,
“We have been in communication with her family as to this process and in the fact that we have recovered a human being.”
He urged anyone with information to contact authorities at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
The investigation intensified after the arrest of Keon King, 21, who has been charged with kidnapping in connection with Scott’s disappearance. King, who was reportedly the last person to have contact with Scott, is currently held on $2.5 million bail. This arrest followed a surge in tips from the public after he was named a suspect.
Scott was last seen on the night of October 4, 2023, after leaving her job at an assisted living facility. Friends revealed she had expressed concerns about being harassed prior to her disappearance, although it remains unclear if King was involved.
During a previous search on Wednesday, investigators discovered physical evidence, including Scott’s debit card and a phone case, at the scene. Surveillance footage from a nearby recreation center is also being analyzed, which may provide crucial insights into the events leading up to Scott’s vanishing.
In a troubling parallel, King faces refiled charges from an earlier alleged kidnapping case earlier this year, where a woman survived an assault. The Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner, acknowledged failures in the handling of the previous case. He stated,
“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.”
The DA’s comments have sparked controversy, with court spokesperson Marty O’Rourke responding that judges are available 24/7 for emergency court matters, calling Krasner’s remarks “disrespectful.”
As this story develops, the community remains on edge, with many hoping for answers regarding Scott’s fate. Investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the timeline and circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Stay tuned for updates as this urgent investigation unfolds. The involvement of the public could prove critical in providing the information needed to bring justice for Kada Scott and her family.
