Killer still missing six years later, new policy would have likely led to arrest

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Sann-Dee King. The Frankford woman was found dead in her apartment after alerting family and friends to potential danger. Her death sparked a policy change in Philadelphia Police Department that could have saved her life or caught her killer.

When King was late for work on Jan. 21, 2005, her friend received a text message from her saying King was in trouble and couldn’t talk. Just two hours later, she was dead in her Arrott Arms apartment.

The friend notified King’s family and the police, but officers in the 15th District refused to break down the door to King’s apartment, as nothing appeared out the ordinary.

King was found strangled under a pile of burning clothes — which had been set on fire after police refused to investigate. Six years later, the killer, who was likely still in the apartment while the family banged on the door, has not been found.

After King’s death, then-Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson changed department policy so that a high-ranking officer will be called to such reports and determine if there is a need to enter a person’s home without his/her permission.

Friends and family will hold an annual vigil tonight for King, a Creative and Performing Arts High School graduate, at her former apartment at 7 p.m.