Rest in peace, Kada – the 23-year-old who went missing on October 4th!
Philadelphia police have confirmed that the human remains discovered behind a vacant middle school belong to 23-year-old Kada Scott, who had been missing since October 4th. The confirmation brings a heartbreaking end to a two-week search that gripped her family, friends, and the wider community.Family games
Authorities have identified 21-year-old Keon King, a man with a history of violent crime, as a suspect. He is already in custody on kidnapping charges related to Kada’s disappearance. Police have not yet stated whether additional charges — including homicide — will be filed.
A Case That Began With Fear and Hope
Kada Scott was reported missing on October 4th, after family members were unable to reach her for more than 24 hours. She had last been seen leaving her apartment in North Philadelphia around 9:30 p.m., wearing a gray hoodie and jeans. According to friends, she had planned to meet someone she knew but never returned home.
“She was the kind of person who always checked in,” said her older sister, Maya Scott. “When she didn’t answer my calls that night, I knew something was wrong.”
Over the following days, search efforts spread across the city. Volunteers canvassed neighborhoods, hung flyers, and organized social media campaigns under the hashtag #FindKadaScott. Her disappearance quickly drew public attention, not only because of her age but because of the sense that something sinister was at play.
The Discovery
The breakthrough came late last week when maintenance workers clearing brush behind an abandoned middle school in West Philadelphia discovered a shallow grave near the property’s edge. Police were called immediately, and the area was sealed off.
Investigators later confirmed the remains matched Kada’s description. Over the weekend, forensic teams completed DNA testing that confirmed her identity.
“It’s the outcome no one wanted,” a police source said. “But at least now the family has answers — or at least the beginning of them.”
The Suspect
Authorities have linked the case to Keon King, 21, who was already behind bars for an unrelated kidnapping charge. Police records show a history of violent offenses, including assault and weapons possession.
While officials have not yet disclosed how King allegedly knew Kada, sources close to the investigation said the two were “acquaintances through mutual friends.” Detectives are still piecing together the timeline of their last interactions.
Neighbors described King as volatile and unpredictable. “You could tell he had a temper,” one resident said. “He’d get into arguments that would turn ugly fast. When we heard about Kada, nobody was surprised he was involved.”
Prosecutors have not confirmed whether homicide charges will follow, but multiple officials familiar with the case indicated that evidence recovered near the scene could support a broader criminal case.
A Mother’s Anguish
Kada’s mother, Denise Scott, spoke to reporters outside her home Sunday evening, clutching a framed photo of her daughter. “My baby was full of life,” she said through tears. “She had dreams. She didn’t deserve this. No parent should have to bury their child.”
Denise described her daughter as “funny, ambitious, and fiercely loyal.” Kada had recently started working as a nursing assistant while studying part-time for her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management.
“She wanted to help people,” her mother said. “She cared for others every day — that’s who she was.”
A Community in Mourning
As word spread through the city, residents gathered outside the school where her remains were found. Mourners left flowers, candles, and handwritten notes beside the police tape.
“She wasn’t just another statistic,” said one volunteer who had helped in the search. “She mattered. Every missing woman matters.”
Philadelphia has faced mounting criticism in recent years for what activists say is a lack of urgency in missing persons cases involving young women of color. The outpouring of grief and anger around Kada’s death has reignited that conversation.
Community advocate Tiana Reynolds, who leads a local safety network for women, said Kada’s case exposes systemic failures. “It shouldn’t take a body being found for a case to get attention,” Reynolds said. “Every missing woman deserves resources from day one.”
The Investigation’s Next Steps
Police officials have not held a formal press conference since confirming Kada’s identity but are expected to do so in the coming days. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has declined to comment on pending charges, saying only that the case is “active and ongoing.”
Detectives are working to establish the full timeline between Kada’s disappearance and the discovery of her remains. Forensic experts are also analyzing evidence collected from the site, including personal items believed to belong to her.
Investigators are tight-lipped about how they traced the case back to King, though sources say cell phone data and surveillance footage played key roles.
Remembering Kada
Friends and family describe Kada as someone whose laughter filled a room. “She could find joy in anything,” said her cousin, Lauren. “Even when life hit her hard, she always smiled.”Family games
A memorial vigil is planned for Friday evening at the playground near her old neighborhood in West Philly — the same park where she spent her childhood summers. Organizers expect hundreds to attend.
“She deserves to be remembered for who she was, not for how she was taken,” said Maya Scott. “Kada was light. That’s what I’ll carry.”
The Bigger Picture
The case has struck a nerve in Philadelphia, where violent crime — particularly against women — has surged in recent years. Data from local advocacy groups show that more than 80 women have been reported missing in the region this year alone.
City Councilmember Darlene Hughes called for stronger coordination between police and community networks. “We can’t keep losing young women and treating it like background noise,” she said. “Kada’s death must be a wake-up call.”
Experts also highlight the role social media played in amplifying her case. Within days of her disappearance, posts about Kada had reached thousands nationwide, leading to several tips for investigators.
Waiting for Justice
As of Monday, the Philadelphia Police Department has not announced when formal murder charges might be filed against King. A source familiar with the case said detectives are “building an airtight case” before making any new moves.
For the Scott family, waiting is agony. “We want justice,” said Denise. “But more than that, we want people to remember her name.”
Until that justice comes, her community is determined to make sure Kada’s story isn’t forgotten. Flyers still hang in corner stores and bus stops — not as search posters anymore, but as reminders of a life stolen too soon.
A City Reflects
Late Sunday, candles flickered along the chain-link fence behind the abandoned school where Kada was found. Strangers stood shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed in silence.
One woman whispered, “She’s finally home.”
Another replied, “Now let’s make sure this never happens again.”
For a city still grieving, those words have become both prayer and promise — that Kada Scott’s life will not fade quietly, and that the fight for safety and justice will continue in her name.