The female human remains found in a shallow grave on the grounds of an abandoned school “are believed to be” Kada Scott, 23, a Philadelphia woman who has been missing for two weeks, a Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson told ABC News Saturday night.
Police said the medical examiner’s office will work to confirm the identity of the remains and determine the cause of death.
“While conducting a search of the property, investigators discovered a shallow grave and recovered human remains believed to be those of Kada Scott,” police said in the statement.
“This is a heartbreaking event and our thoughts are with Kada’s family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time. The Philadelphia Police Department remains committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served,” the statement continued.
The remains were found in a heavily wooded area after police received a “very specific” anonymous tip overnight and officers searched the area around 10 a.m. local time Saturday, Philadelphia Police Department First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford told reporters during a news conference Saturday night.
Stanford added that police have been in contact with Scott’s family following the discovery of the remains.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement Saturday that the city will continue to support Scott’s family amid their “unimaginable pain and turmoil.”
“I pray that God gives the family some peace that passes all understanding as they face this moment,” Parker said. “The city of Philadelphia is here to support you in any way we can. We will continue to stand by you.”
The remains found Saturday were located in a wooded area behind Ada H. Lewis High School, an abandoned school near Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, an area that was central to a search earlier this week, police said Saturday.
While searching the school grounds Wednesday, they located items believed to belong to Scott, including a cell phone case, an iPad case, glasses and a card with his name on it. The items were recovered by police and are under forensic examination, they said.
Scott was last seen by her mother on Oct. 4 as she left for work at a nearby nursing home, police said last week. Keon King, 21, was previously charged with kidnapping “for his role” in Scott’s disappearance, authorities said.
Philadelphia authorities are searching for Kada Scott, a 23-year-old woman who has been missing for almost a week.
Philadelphia Police Department
On the night of Oct. 4, Scott arrived at work but left before his shift ended, Philadelphia police Capt. John Craig said during a news conference last week. It was unclear what time Scott left work, but officials said his shift was normally from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Scott was reported missing to police on October 5, and authorities said they had “some concern, more than usual” regarding her disappearance due to the concerning phone calls she was receiving.
“In the days leading up to her disappearance, Ms. Scott told her family and friends that an unknown individual had been harassing her over the phone,” Craig said.
Authorities said evidence shows Scott was “in communication with an individual” (identified as King) and that she appeared to meet with him “very shortly after” leaving work on Oct. 4.
“Mr. King is the last person we believe was in contact with her when she went offline,” Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Kozlowski said during a news conference Wednesday.
Keon King, 21, was charged in connection with the disappearance of Kada Scott, 23, who has been missing since Oct. 4, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Philadelphia Police Department
Police were previously asking the public for help in locating the suspect’s vehicle, a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry with a Pennsylvania license plate MSX-0797, which they believe Scott may have been in. Later that day, police confirmed to ABC News that King’s vehicle was found in an apartment lot.
Officials said they received two tips, the first led them to an elementary school where they recovered “valuable” evidence and the second led them to the vehicle linked to Scott’s disappearance.
The 23-year-old’s father, Kevin Scott, told ABC News that the family remains confident that “she will be with us as soon as possible.”
“It’s been difficult, extremely difficult. We’re keeping faith that she’s okay and that she’ll be with us as soon as possible, that they’ll find her and hopefully she won’t be hurt. I’m going to keep that positive vibe going,” Kevin Scott told ABC News.
ABC News’ Tommy Foster and Tesfaye Negussie contributed to this report.
