PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 18, 2025) — The desperate two-week search for 24-year-old Kada Scott, who vanished from her job in Chestnut Hill earlier this month, has come to a heartbreaking end.
Police sources confirmed Saturday that investigators have found a woman’s body believed to be Scott’s on the grounds of the closed Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School in East Germantown. The discovery marks a tragic conclusion to a case that began as a missing person investigation and has now become a homicide.
According to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation, prosecutors intend to charge 21-year-old Keon King with murder in connection with Scott’s death. King was already in custody on kidnapping charges after detectives linked him to her disappearance through cell phone data and surveillance footage.
“This is not the outcome anyone wanted,” said one officer at the scene early Saturday. “We were holding out hope that we’d find her alive. Sadly, that’s not what happened.”
A Night That Changed Everything
Scott’s disappearance began on the night of October 4, when she stepped outside the Chestnut Hill nursing home where she had recently started an overnight shift — and never came back.
Friends and family quickly grew concerned when calls to her phone went unanswered. Police later learned that her cell phone had gone dark around 10 p.m., shortly after she was last seen.
Investigators soon zeroed in on King, who was reportedly the last person to have contact with Scott before she vanished. Data from both their phones placed them in the same locations that night — until Scott’s signal abruptly stopped.
From Kidnapping to Murder
King was arrested earlier this week and charged with kidnapping, but investigators continued to search for Scott, fearing the worst. Late Friday, police received new information that led them to the East Germantown school property, where the heartbreaking discovery was made.
Officials have not yet released details about how Scott died, but they are treating the case as a homicide. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office is working to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.
For now, police say the evidence against King is overwhelming — and that the investigation will likely expand as they examine his past behavior and possible connections to other crimes.
A Troubled History Comes to Light
As details have emerged, so has a disturbing picture of King’s past. According to court records, he had previously been charged with kidnapping and attempting to strangle an ex-girlfriend, but that case was dismissed after the victim did not appear in court.
Now, city officials and prosecutors are expressing deep regret that those earlier charges were dropped.
“This tragedy underscores what can happen when serious domestic violence cases go unprosecuted,” said a spokesperson for District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office. “We are committed to ensuring full accountability for this senseless crime.”
A Life Full of Promise
Those who knew Kada Scott describe her as a kind, intelligent young woman with a bright future. A Pennsylvania State University graduate, Scott had recently started working in healthcare, dedicating her time to helping others.
“She was such a sweet soul,” said one of her coworkers. “She always looked out for everyone. She didn’t deserve this.”
Scott lived in the Ivy Hill section of Mt. Airy, and family members say she had been worried in the days before she disappeared. She had reportedly told friends that someone had been harassing her, though she never said who.
Her family has been devastated by the loss. “Kada was everything to us — smart, beautiful, and full of life,” a relative said Saturday. “She had her whole future ahead of her.”
Community in Mourning
The news of Scott’s death has sent shockwaves through Philadelphia, where her story captured widespread attention and inspired dozens of community searches. Flyers bearing her face were posted across neighborhoods, and volunteers worked tirelessly alongside police to bring her home.
Now, those same community members are preparing to honor her memory. Vigils and memorials are being planned in both Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, where candles and flowers have already begun to appear outside the nursing home where she was last seen.
“It’s not just a tragedy — it’s a reminder,” said a local advocate for domestic violence survivors. “We have to listen when women say they feel unsafe. We can’t let their voices go unheard.”
Justice Ahead
King remains behind bars at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, held without bail. Prosecutors are expected to upgrade the charges to murder in the coming days.
Investigators continue to piece together Scott’s final hours — combing through cell phone records, security footage, and witness interviews to build a full picture of what happened that night.
“This case has touched everyone involved,” said one detective. “We want to make sure Kada and her family get the justice they deserve.”
A City Remembers
As the city mourns, Scott’s name has become a symbol of both heartbreak and resolve — a young woman whose life was stolen too soon, and whose story will not be forgotten.
“She had such a gentle spirit,” one friend said. “All she wanted was to make a difference. And even now, she’s reminding us how important it is to protect one another.”
🕊️ In Loving Memory of Kada Scott (2001–2025)
Beloved daughter, friend, and caregiver. May her family find peace, and may her light continue to shine in the hearts of all who loved her.