Suspect charged with murder in disappearance of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott
The suspect who was previously charged with kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of 23-year-old nursing student Kada Scott has now been charged with her murder, the Philadelphia District Attorney's office announced on Wednesday.
The murder charge comes after the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office identified female remains found in a shallow grave as belonging to Scott earlier this week. Her manner of death was ruled as a homicide, the DA's office said.
The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office confirmed to ABC News on Thursday that Scott's autopsy has been completed and her "death was caused by gunshot wound of head." Her date of death is listed as Oct. 18.
Keon King, 21, was arrested on Oct. 15 and charged with kidnapping and reckless endangerment of another person due to his alleged involvement in Scott's disappearance.
He was also charged on Wednesday with theft, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, multiple violations of Pennsylvania's Uniform Firearms Act and possession of an instrument of crime in connection to Scott's disappearance.
ABC News has reached out to King's attorney, but requests for comment were not returned.
"Our office remains in continued communication with the parents and family of Kada Scott keeping them informed of new developments in the investigation and prosecution of this case," the DA's office said on Wednesday, adding that the "investigation remains active and ongoing."
On Monday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced a slew of other charges against King, including arson causing catastrophe, conspiracy, unauthorized use of an automobile, tampering with evidence, recklessly endangering another person and receipt of stolen property.
Remains found on grounds of abandoned school
Female human remains were found in a deeply wooded area behind Ada H. Lewis Middle School, an abandoned school near Awbury Arboretum in Germantown around 10 a.m. on Saturday after police received a "very specific" anonymous tip, First Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department John Stanford told reporters during a press conference on Saturday evening.
Krasner confirmed on Monday that the remains found behind the abandoned school were identified by the medical examiner's office as belonging to Scott.
“It has been confirmed that these are the human remains of Kada Scott, and that has been confirmed by DNA," Krasner said.
Tania Leonard, director of the C.A.R.E.S. Unit at the DA's office, read a statement on behalf of Scott's family during a press conference on Monday, saying the family has full "trust" in the Philadelphia Police Department as the investigation resumes.
"The family asked to keep them in their prayers. They said they are profoundly thankful to every person who shared, Kada’s story, joined the search efforts, prayed with us and stood by the family during this devastating time," Leonard said.
“Your compassion, love and strength have carried us when we cannot carry ourselves,” Leonard added, reading the statement from the family.
Kada Scott last seen working overnight shift at nursing home
Scott was last seen by her mother on Oct. 4 when she was leaving for work at a nearby nursing home, police said last week.
On the evening of Oct. 4, Scott arrived at work, but left prior to her shift's completion, Philadelphia police Capt. John Craig said during a press conference earlier this month. It was not clear what time Scott left work, but officials said her shift typically was from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
"In the days leading up to her disappearance, Ms. Scott related to her family and friends that an unknown individual or person had been harassing her via phone," Craig said.
Officials said evidence shows Scott was "in communication with an individual" -- who they identified as King -- and that she appeared to meet with him "very shortly after" she left work on Oct. 4.
Scott was reported missing to police on Oct. 5, with law enforcement saying they had "some concern, more so than usual" regarding her disappearance due to worrying phone calls she was receiving.
"Mr. King is the last person we believe to be in contact with her when she went offline," Ashley Kozlowski, the Philadelphia assistant district attorney, said during a press conference last week.
King has a "little bit of a pattern of this type of history," as he was involved in a case earlier this year where he was accused of kidnapping and strangling a "female acquaintance," officials said. The case was dismissed after a witness failed to appear in court, but Kozlowski said on Wednesday they "made the decision to refile those charges."
King was arraigned on Thursday and is being held on a $2.5 million bail, the DA told ABC News. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.
ABC News' Tommy Foster and Tesfaye Negussie contributed to this report.
