On Saturday, Philadelphia authorities announced that the body of 23-year-old Kada Scott was found near an abandoned school.
Here’s everything we know about what led up to her disappearance, how long she had been dead, and what suspects are responsible for her disappearance and death.
Who is Kada Scott?
Kada Scott was a 23-year-old black woman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State and recently started working at an assisted living facility called the Terrace in Chestnut Hill, according to ABC 6. She was the runner-up during the Pennsylvania Miss USA Pageant.
What happened to Kada Scott?
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Kada Scott was last seen alive on Oct. 4, when he left his job at the assisted living home. His family reported him missing the next day as they heard that he had received several harassing phone calls.
“Days before her disappearance, Miss Scott related to family and friends that unknown people or someone has harassed her by phone. We are investigating that.
Kada Scott’s mother, Kim Matthews, told ABC 6 that Scott said the calls “but he didn’t give names or anything like that, so we’re trying to piece it together to find out who these people are.”
His car was in the parking lot of his work when he first disappeared. Since there are no surveillance cameras outside of where Kada Scott works, investigators could not see if they met him after he left for work.
How long was he missing?
According to the AP, Kada Scott had been dead for two weeks before authorities found his body on the evening of Oct.18 in a shallow grave in the Ada Lewis Middle School section. The police searched the area and found his phone case and debit card but did not find him.
They searched the area again after receiving a very “specific” tip Friday night, according to ABC 6.
“The tip was very specific that it led us to this location,” said First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford, with the Philadelphia Police Department. “We want people – the person we have in custody and anyone else who may be involved – we want them to answer to the highest level of the law for what they did.”
Is there a suspect in this case?
Yes. Keon King, 21, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, stabbing, arson, mischief, conspiracy and tampering with evidence related to the disappearance of Kada Scott related to the disappearance of Kada Scott. King has not been charged in the death of Kada Scott, although Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner believes those charges will be filed soon.
“I am confident that murder charges will be brought,” Krasner said at a news conference. “But I have an obligation to follow the law and uphold the Constitution. That means we don’t take shortcuts.”
The Philadelphia Police Department arrested the kingpin last week after several pieces of hard evidence tied him to Kada Scott. The most obvious is the Hyundai Accent that was seen in several places found in Kada Scott’s disappearance. Authorities received reports that the car had been set on fire on Oct 7 before following it to a junkyard where it was assembled. Investigators say the fire prevented DNA evidence from being collected from the car, according to CBS News.
King was arrested earlier this year on similar charges after kidnapping and beating a woman before finally letting her go. KING was able to post $200,000 bail and he was released, with charges dropped after the victim came forward and the witness did not appear in court. Krasner told reporters that the case would be reopened.
Prosecutor Ashley Toczylowski told reporters that investigators “have reason to believe they may have been involved behind the scenes,” and that Kada Scott’s death is “still under serious investigation.”
Kada Scott’s family released a statement on Monday addressing his death.
“Today, we will say her name tomorrow, we will say her name, and forever, we will say her name. It is a great sadness that we are going through our beloved daughter, Kada Scott,” the statement read. “Our hearts are broken, but we are grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people in the region and around the world.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kada Scott’s family at this difficult time.
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Black missing persons cases still receive little media attention
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