Body of missing woman found buried behind abandoned Philadelphia school | Philadelphia

The remains found buried in a wooded area behind an abandoned school are those of Kada Scott, a 23-year-old woman missing for about two weeks, Philadelphia prosecutors announced Monday.

Authorities said an anonymous tip led police back to the area where they had previously searched and found the remains in a shallow grave. DNA tests confirmed his identity.

Keon King, 21, of Dover, Delaware, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, stalking and other charges related to Scott’s disappearance. Bail was set at $2.5 million. Prosecutors say more charges are pending. A message seeking comment was left Monday with King’s defense attorney, Shaka Johnson.

“I am confident that homicide charges will be filed,” prosecutor Larry Krasner said at a news conference. “But I also have an obligation to follow the law and uphold the Constitution. That means we don’t take shortcuts.”

Prosecutors say King and Scott had telephone contact and that a stolen vehicle found on fire was used by King. His cellphone was located at locations linked to his disappearance, prosecutor Ashley Toczylowski told reporters. She said there is plenty of video evidence in this case.

Toczylowski said an initial tip last week led investigators to the school but they did not find Scott’s remains, but a new, more specific tip this weekend “go back, she’s there, look again” led them to Scott.

She said authorities “have reason to believe that other people may have been involved after the fact,” calling the matter “still under investigation.”

Additional charges related to the stolen vehicle fire were filed against King, including arson, causing or risking a catastrophe and conspiracy. Krasner’s office said in a news release that the black Hyundai Accent was reported stolen a day before Scott disappeared on Oct. 4. The car was seen on video parked at a recreation center late in the evening of Oct. 4, near where Scott’s body was found.

Three days later, the Hyundai reportedly caught fire in Philadelphia, but it was compacted into a junkyard before investigators could examine it.

King was arrested earlier this year in another case, but posted $200,000 bond and was released. In the earlier case, prosecutors said, King was accused of kidnapping a woman outside her home and forcing her into a car where she was assaulted and eventually released. Those charges were dropped when the victim and a witness failed to appear in court, Krasner said.

Scott, who worked at an assisted living facility, was remembered in a statement Monday by her parents as a source of “light, kindness and beautiful spirit.” They said their hearts were “broken” and asked for prayers. She was reported missing after leaving a night shift.