PHILADELPHIA, PA - The man arrested in connection to the disappearance and death of Kada Scott has now been charged with murder in the case.
The alleged suspect, 21-year-old Keon King, was initially arrested on kidnapping charges in connection with Scott's disappearance. Scott, 23, was found dead in a wooded area in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 18, two weeks after she disappeared from her work, People reported.
On Wednesday, October 22, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced that King has now been charged with murder. He is also charged with robbery, theft, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, possessing an instrument of crime, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Other charges, including arson, causing catastrophe, conspiracy, unauthorized use of an automobile, and recklessly endangering another person have also been filed against King, NBC Philadelphia reported.
King was arrested on October 15, just days before Scott's remains were found at a location where investigators tracked his cell phone during the time they believe the alleged crime was committed. Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski previously said King's phone was located there at the time a vehicle was burned there, a vehicle she previously alleged King used to "move" Scott.
The death of Scott has been ruled a homicide. Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore made the initial announcement on X on Wednesday, October 22. "The ME has ruled that the cause of death for Kada Scott is homicide. Our investigators have completed their work and are forwarding a recommendation of murder charges to the DAO for charging. We will continue to pursue justice for Ms. Scott, her family, and all victims of crime."
On Thursday, October 23, the Medical Examiner's Office revealed that Scott died from a gunshot wound to the head. They also said she died on October 18.
Scott disappeared from her workplace after she was subject to "harassing" phone calls, her family previously told police. Since King's arrest, investigators said they have uncovered similar accusations against him.
He was charged with kidnapping and strangulation earlier this year in a domestic case, Toczylowski said. Those charges were withdrawn, but prosecutors have said they'll be refiled. According to Toczylowski, other alleged victims of King have since come forward. Authorities believe this is a "pattern" of King's behavior.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who has faced criticism over the withdrawal of King's earlier kidnapping case, placed the blame on the case bail system. Krasner claimed his office had requested nearly $1 million bail for King for the initial kidnapping case.
"A million dollars minus one dollar bail and we did not get it. We don't set bail. Judges do. The bail was set at $200,000," Krasner said. "Why? Well probably because the commissioner who set the bail probably imagined that was enough to hold Keon King in custody. It wasn't. Keon King had access to a lot of money and so he paid $20,000 bail almost immediately and was out of custody as a consequence of that, alright? This is the problem with cash bail."
Krasner claimed that victims are less likely to appear in court if they know that a suspect is not in custody. "The victim is more likely to walk in the door of the courthouse and testify if that victim knows that the defendant can't walk out right behind her if he's locked up," he said. "Well, he wasn't locked up here."
Toczylowski also said other people may have been involved in Scott's disappearance. "At this point we did charge conspiracy, so we do have reason to believe that other people may have been involved after the fact, but who they are and level of involvement not going to comment at this time," she said.
The alleged suspect, 21-year-old Keon King, was initially arrested on kidnapping charges in connection with Scott's disappearance. Scott, 23, was found dead in a wooded area in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 18, two weeks after she disappeared from her work, People reported.
On Wednesday, October 22, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced that King has now been charged with murder. He is also charged with robbery, theft, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, possessing an instrument of crime, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Other charges, including arson, causing catastrophe, conspiracy, unauthorized use of an automobile, and recklessly endangering another person have also been filed against King, NBC Philadelphia reported.
King was arrested on October 15, just days before Scott's remains were found at a location where investigators tracked his cell phone during the time they believe the alleged crime was committed. Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski previously said King's phone was located there at the time a vehicle was burned there, a vehicle she previously alleged King used to "move" Scott.
The death of Scott has been ruled a homicide. Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore made the initial announcement on X on Wednesday, October 22. "The ME has ruled that the cause of death for Kada Scott is homicide. Our investigators have completed their work and are forwarding a recommendation of murder charges to the DAO for charging. We will continue to pursue justice for Ms. Scott, her family, and all victims of crime."
On Thursday, October 23, the Medical Examiner's Office revealed that Scott died from a gunshot wound to the head. They also said she died on October 18.
Scott disappeared from her workplace after she was subject to "harassing" phone calls, her family previously told police. Since King's arrest, investigators said they have uncovered similar accusations against him.
He was charged with kidnapping and strangulation earlier this year in a domestic case, Toczylowski said. Those charges were withdrawn, but prosecutors have said they'll be refiled. According to Toczylowski, other alleged victims of King have since come forward. Authorities believe this is a "pattern" of King's behavior.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who has faced criticism over the withdrawal of King's earlier kidnapping case, placed the blame on the case bail system. Krasner claimed his office had requested nearly $1 million bail for King for the initial kidnapping case.
"A million dollars minus one dollar bail and we did not get it. We don't set bail. Judges do. The bail was set at $200,000," Krasner said. "Why? Well probably because the commissioner who set the bail probably imagined that was enough to hold Keon King in custody. It wasn't. Keon King had access to a lot of money and so he paid $20,000 bail almost immediately and was out of custody as a consequence of that, alright? This is the problem with cash bail."
Krasner claimed that victims are less likely to appear in court if they know that a suspect is not in custody. "The victim is more likely to walk in the door of the courthouse and testify if that victim knows that the defendant can't walk out right behind her if he's locked up," he said. "Well, he wasn't locked up here."
Toczylowski also said other people may have been involved in Scott's disappearance. "At this point we did charge conspiracy, so we do have reason to believe that other people may have been involved after the fact, but who they are and level of involvement not going to comment at this time," she said.
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