Cause of death released for Kada Scott, who was reported missing in Philadelphia

A Philadelphia woman last seen nearly three weeks ago was shot to death, health officials have confirmed.

Kada Scott, 23, died of a gunshot wound to the head, and her death has been declared a homicide, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health told USA Today on Thursday.

Human remains, later identified by officials as Scott’s, were found on Saturday in a shallow grave near an abandoned middle school, John Stanford, deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department, said at a news conference.

Prior to finding her remains, officials announced last week that a suspect, Keon King, 21, had been arrested in connection to her disappearance. He was initially charged with kidnapping and reckless endangerment, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at the news conference.

Online court records reviewed by USA Today on Thursday show he faces charges including murder, stalking, robbery, firearm possession, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and arson.

He has multiple hearings scheduled for early November. An attorney representing King declined to comment when reached by USA Today.

Woman left work 20 minutes into her shift

Police asked the public for help finding Scott on Oct. 7 after she had last been seen three days earlier around 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 4, according to a press release shared online. She typically worked at a nursing home from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and was leaving her job the last time she was seen.

According to investigators, she may have shown up to work but left after 20 minutes or so.

Authorities aren’t sure how Scott knew King, but the pair had been speaking before she disappeared in early October. She told family members someone was harassing her on the phone.

As investigators searched for Scott, they began looking for King’s car because they believed she may have been in the vehicle. They found the 1999 metallic-gold Toyota Camry at an apartment complex in the East Falls neighborhood on Oct. 15, Philadelphia Police previously told USA Today.

Tip led to remains being found at abandoned high school

Investigators received a tip the night of Oct. 17, which led to the discovery of the remains, police said at a news conference.

“It’s a wooded area that goes beyond the school,” Stanford, of the Philadelphia Police Department, said at the news conference.

Suspect who was arrested has a history of violence, prosecutor says

Toczylowski, assistant district attorney, said at a news conference this month that King was previously arrested and charged with strangulation and kidnapping in a separate case in early 2025.

Prosecutors said King allegedly kidnapped the woman in that case in front of her house, put her in his car, assaulted her, and then let her out of the vehicle.

When the witness failed to appear in court, the case was dismissed. Since the developments in Scott’s disappearance, prosecutors have reopened the previous case.

“At this point he will have two open kidnapping cases that will face preliminary hearings in the coming months,” Toczylowski said.

‘Protect women from violence,’ Philadelphia City Council President says

When the remains were found that were believed to belong to Scott, Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson shared a photo of the young woman and said she had her whole life to look forward to. She graduated from Penn State and had just started her career as a caregiver.

Johnson added that Scott’s killing is a reminder to take abuse seriously.

“We must do far more to protect women from violence and ensure that those with a history of abuse and harassment are not allowed to harm again,” Johnson wrote on Instagram.

“As a city, we must continue to commit ourselves to protecting women, demanding accountability, and building a justice system that truly safeguards the vulnerable,” Johnson continued in her post. “Justice for Kada Scott – and for every woman who has been a victim of violence-must remain a top priority.”