Keon King charged with murder in death of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott

The DA's Office said Wednesday it has approved charges of not only murder, but also robbery, theft, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and other offenses.

6abc digital staff

Updated Oct. 22, 2025 5:03 pm

More than 100 people, including family members of Kada Scott, paid tribute to her life with a candlelight vigil outside of Ada H. Lewis Middle School on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

This story originally appeared on 6abc.

The man arrested in connection with the disappearance of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott has now been charged with her murder.

The District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday it has approved charges of not only murder, but also robbery, theft, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and other offenses against 21-year-old Keon King.

The charges came after the medical examiner’s office said Scott, 23, died by homicide. It was not immediately known how Scott was killed.

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“We will continue to pursue justice for Ms. Scott, her family, and all victims of crime,” Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said in a social media post.

King was previously charged with kidnapping, arson and other offenses.

Police say phone data, video show suspect’s movements

King’s alleged criminal conspiracy began just before midnight on Oct. 3, when court records say he stole a Hyundai Accent left unattended and running by a food delivery worker on the 6600 block of Sprague Street.

Investigators say he then used that stolen car to meet up with Kada Scott the following night.

Charging documents say Scott and King made plans to meet up, with the final text exchange between the two being, “cm when u here.”

Six minutes later, at 10:15 p.m., investigators say the two appeared to be together near Scott’s place of employment, based on cell phone data.

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It would be the last time Scott was seen alive.

Using cell phone technology, investigators tracked King to a house on the 5500 block of Belmar Terrace.

A search of the house turned up contractor bags, a hammer, and ammunition among other items, according to court records.

Two women who live there were detained and interviewed, but released.

King was not at the house.

The criminal complaint says King’s cell phone was tracked taking multiple trips between the Belmar Terrace home and the area around the vacant Ada Lewis Middle School, where Scott’s body was found.

Just before midnight on Oct. 5, court records say King’s registered Toyota Camry was caught on surveillance parking at the recreation center next door to where Scott’s body was found.

It says two people exited the vehicle, and four hours later two individuals appear to take a large object consistent with a body out of the trunk.

Action News has reached out to King’s attorney, but he has not responded.

Text messages part of investigation

Police are trying to piece together the communication between Kada Scott and Keon King in the days and hours before her disappearance.

One particular text that’s now part of the investigation was sent at 10:07 a.m. on Oct. 4, nearly 12 hours before Scott disappeared.

In it, she texts the words, “kidnap me again” to a number that police have linked to King.

The reply that came back was “better be up, too,” which was followed by plans to meet later that night.

Detectives tell Action News they are still trying to determine the relationships between King and Scott, and how they initially met.

Police say there is no report or indication that there was a previous incident involving Scott and King.

King had been charged with a different kidnapping back in January. Part of that incident, involving another woman, was shown in a viral video.

The DA’s office dropped the charges after the victim and a witness didn’t show up in court.

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