"Very specific" anonymous tip leads to remains with DNA of missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott

 23-year-old Kada Scott was reported missing by her mother on October 5, 2025. Kada, who lived in East Mount Airy, was scheduled to work an overnight shift at the Terrace at Chestnut Hill, an assisted living facility, but neglected to return home after her shift.

Kada was a Penn State graduate who was just starting a career in caregiving. She was well-liked and kind to everyone around her.

After realizing she hadn’t come home, both her mother and father called her cell phone multiple times but received no answer.

When her mother called The Terrace to ask about her daughter’s whereabouts, she was told Kada left her shift around 10:30pm the night before.

She had driven her mother’s car to work that day, and it was soon located by police in the employee parking lot. None of Kada’s personal items, including her iPhone, apple watch, iPad or purse, were inside.

Days before she went missing, she had told those around her that she was being harassed and had been receiving harassing phone calls.

The individual harassing her has not been formally identified.

On October 10, Police searched the last place Kada’s phone pinged- Awbury Arboretum, a 55-acre arboretum and estate in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They came away empty handed.

On October 14, Keon King, 21, turned himself in to police, he was subsequently arrested. Philadelphia Police indicated there was evidence to show King had been in contact with Kada Scott before her death.

A 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry with Pennsylvania tag MSX0797 believed to be connected to King has been located and will be forensically processed.

King is being held on $2.5 million bail, and has been charged with stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, the criminal use of communication facility (cell phone), tampering with evidence, and recklessly endangering another person.

Update: New charges have since been filed against King, including conspiracy and tampering with evidence, causing catastrophe, and arson.

Police said King appeared to have met Kada after she left her workplace shortly before she went missing.

They also detailed his criminal history, which according to media outlets concerns the alleged kidnapping and strangulation of another  victim earlier this year. The case was reportedly dropped when the victim neglected to show up for the court hearing, although it has recently been reopened according to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski with the homicide unit.

According to Toczylowski, King “will have two open kidnapping cases that will face preliminary hearings in the coming months.”

On October 18, a tip led police officers to Ada H. Lewis Middle School, an abandoned school in an East Germantown neighborhood, where they found a card with Kada's name on it, and an iPhone case they believed to be hers.

Police located a shallow grave in a wooded area behind the school where they found the remains of a woman. 

Another tip led police to the 2300 block 74th Avenue where they discovered a stolen burned 2008 black Hyundai Accent that is believed to be involved with the case.

ABC Action News 6 reports that investigators believe the vehicle was used to transport Scott to the shallow grave where her remains were found.

The Hyundai was reportedly stolen from the 6600 block of Sprague Street on October 3 and burned four days later. ABC reports that Kings cell phone data put King at the site of the burned vehicle as well as near the site of the shallow grave.

Toczylowski said of the vehicle: "This Hyundai Accent was on scene at all pertinent points of the investigation. His mobile device places Keon King at every location connected to the crime."

On October 20, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner confirmed that the  remains contained the DNA of Kada Scott.

Kada Scotts family put out a statement to the public, saying:

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved daughter, Kada Scott. We kindly ask for space and privacy at this time as we process the heartbreaking events of the past few weeks.
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. … Kada was deeply loved. Her light, kindness, and beautiful spirit will forever remain in our hearts.
We place our full trust in the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to ensure that the truth is revealed and that those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

Council President Kenyatta Johnson expressed how disturbed and heartbroken he was at the discovery of Kada Scott's remains and the facts of the case, saying: "This devastating news brings an end to a two-week search that gripped our entire city and broke the hearts of everyone who hoped and prayed for her safe return."

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