Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised. This story contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some readers discretion advised.

Kada Scott, 23, disappeared on October 4, 2025, after leaving her job at an assisted‐living / nursing facility in Philadelphia. 

Police received a tip which led them back to a location behind the shuttered Ada H. Lewis Middle School. 

Investigators uncovered human remains in what has been described as a “shallow grave.” 

As of October 19/20, the remains were believed to be those of Kada Scott, and identification via DNA testing has been reported. 

A suspect, Keon King (21), has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and related offenses in connection with her disappearance. 

Additional charges (such as arson, tampering with evidence, possibly homicide charges) are being pursued. 

here’s a timeline and summary of what’s known so far about the tragic case of Kada Scott, the Miss USA hopeful from Philadelphia.

October 4, 2025

Kada Scott (23) was last seen leaving her job at a Philadelphia assisted-living facility.

She told coworkers she was heading home but never arrived.

Her car was later found abandoned and burned, raising immediate concerns of foul play.

October 5–10

Family and friends launched an extensive search effort.

Flyers circulated online and in Philadelphia neighborhoods.

Police classified her disappearance as suspicious.

October 11–18

Investigators identified Keon King (21), believed to have been one of the last people to see Kada alive.

King was taken into custody and charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, and evidence tampering.

Detectives received tips about a possible burial site near the shuttered Ada H. Lewis Middle School in northwest Philadelphia.

October 19–20

Police discovered human remains in a shallow grave behind the abandoned school.

Clothing and jewelry matched what Kada was last seen wearing.

DNA tests confirmed the remains were those of Kada Scott.

October 21 onward

Authorities began pursuing additional charges, including murder and arson.A memorial and vigil are being planned by family and pageant peers.The Miss USA community has issued public statements honoring her life and ambitions.

⚖️ Current Legal Status

Suspect: Keon King, 21

Charges so far: Kidnapping, unlawful restraint, arson, and tampering with evidence

Pending charges: Homicide (expected once the autopsy and forensic evidence are finalized)

Investigation: Ongoing under Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit.

Kada Scott

23 years old, aspiring Miss USA contestant and local pageant competitor.

Worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility.

Known for her community involvement and mentoring younger women in pageantry.

Described by friends as “ambitious, kindhearted, and full of promise.”

Breaking News!!!

Thursday, October 23, 2025 

Kada Scott, whose remains were found last weekend after she disappeared from her job in Northeast Philly earlier this month, died from being shot in the head, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office revealed.

her death has  been ruled a homicide.

Less than an hour ago,the  Philadelphia Health Departement announced that Kada  Scott died of agunshot wound to the head .

The death of 23-year-old Kada Scott has been ruled a homicide, prompting Philadelphia prosecutors to approve a murder charge Wednesday against the man arrested in her case, and her cause of death has been revealed.

In addition to murder, District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office approved additional charges against Keon King, 21, who was charged during the search for Scott.

The additional charges include robbery, theft, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and possessing an instrument of crime.

An attorney for King did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours Wednesday.

Scott’s body was found roughly two weeks after she disappeared on Oct. 4. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office announced Thursday morning that her cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

Scott was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and worked at an assisted living facility. According to her father, she returned home from an evening with friends on Oct. 4 and borrowed her mother’s car to go to her overnight shift.

Scott did not return home in the morning, and calls to her cellphone went straight to voicemail, he said.

Friends and family members told police that unknown people had been harassing Scott on her phone before she disappeared. Police said at the time that they were looking into the matter, hoping it might lead them in the right direction.

It’s unclear how King and Scott knew each other. Officials said evidence obtained through cellphone data showed the two were in communication before her disappearance. Officials also said King met Scott at her workplace shortly before she went missing.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said Monday that both video and cellphone data indicate King was present at relevant locations in the case.

Scott’s body was found Saturday in a wooded area near an abandoned middle school after a caller provided what police described as a very specific tip. Authorities had discovered what are believed to be Scott’s personal belongings at the same location just days before.

Video evidence was recovered from a recreation center “directly” next to the school, Toczylowski said. She added that investigators were looking through “extensive” video.

Prosecutors said Monday that they believe King used a stolen 2008 Hyundai Accent to take King to where her body was eventually found. Toczylowski added that the car was seen on the video evidence from the recreation center.

The Accent was set on fire and later taken to a junkyard, where it was recovered by authorities, Toczylowski said.

Authorities also found a gold Toyota Camry that they said was seen at the recreation center and believe it is involved in Scott’s death, as well.

King turned himself in to authorities on Oct. 14 and was initially charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, stalking, criminal use of communication facility, recklessly endangering another person and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors filed additional charges of arson causing catastrophe, conspiracy, unauthorized use of an automobile, tampering with evidence, recklessly endangering another person and receipt of stolen property.

King has not yet entered pleas, according to court records.