PHILADELPHIA — Human remains discovered behind a vacant school in Germantown are believed to be those of missing Philadelphia resident Kada Scott, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.
Officials confirmed Sunday that DNA samples taken from the remains show a strong match with Scott’s parents. The site, located near Awbury Arboretum, was already under scrutiny last week during a large-scale search tied to her disappearance.
According to First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford, a “very specific” anonymous tip came in overnight, leading officers back to the wooded area around 10 a.m. Saturday. The remains were found buried in a shallow grave behind the abandoned school building.
Late in the afternoon, the remains were removed and transferred to the medical examiner’s office, which will conduct the formal identification and determine cause of death. Stanford said investigators have been in contact with Scott’s family throughout the process.
“We have been in communication with her family as to this process and in the fact that we have recovered a human being,” Stanford said.
Authorities are urging the public to continue sharing information by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Surveillance Evidence and Items Found at Scene
Investigators also recovered surveillance footage connected to the case from a nearby recreation center, sources said. During Wednesday’s earlier search of the same area, officers reportedly found Scott’s debit card and a phone case among other physical evidence.
Tips began pouring in once authorities announced an arrest in the case.
Suspect in Custody
Police have taken 21-year-old Keon King of Southwest Philadelphia into custody. He is believed to be the last person who had contact with Scott before she disappeared and has been charged with kidnapping and related offenses. His bail is set at $2.5 million.
Investigators are still working to establish how King and Scott knew each other. Scott had reported being harassed prior to going missing, though authorities have not confirmed whether King was the person she referenced.
Scott, who worked at an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill, was last seen on the night of Saturday, October 4, after leaving her job.
Previous Case Resurfaces
King is also connected to another incident from earlier this year involving an alleged kidnapping and strangulation of a different woman, who survived. Charges in that case were initially dismissed when the complainant failed to appear in court, but the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has announced those charges will now be refiled.
Prosecutors in that case said King abducted the woman outside her home, forced her into her car, assaulted her, and eventually released her. Parts of the encounter were captured in a viral video, which reportedly shows King peering into windows as someone inside shouts for police.
District Attorney Larry Krasner acknowledged Friday that his office could have handled the earlier case more aggressively.
“We could have done better,” Krasner said. “A really sophisticated approach to the case would have been to try to put it all in with video evidence.”
He also pointed to King being out on bail as a reason the victim may not have appeared in court. King was previously released after posting 10% of a $200,000 bond.
When questioned why prosecutors didn’t push for higher bail at the time, Krasner said the office weighed the risks of contacting a judge overnight.
“You have the option of trying to do what is often a midnight or three o’clock in the morning telephonic appeal,” he said. “The unfortunate reality is some judges don’t want to be called at that hour. And if you do, they lower the bail.”
In response, court spokesperson Marty O’Rourke issued a sharp statement.
He said judges from both Municipal and Common Pleas Courts are “on call 24/7 and prepared at any hour to address emergency matters,” calling Krasner’s comments “appallingly disrespectful” and an attempt to deflect accountability.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not released a cause of death and are waiting on autopsy results. Investigators continue to sort through evidence gathered from the search area and surveillance sources, while also tracking public tips.
Scott’s family has not spoken publicly since the discovery but has remained in close communication with law enforcement.
Authorities say anyone with additional information, no matter how small, can aid both the current investigation and the reopened case linked to King.