Keon King charged with burning stolen car connected to Kada Scott’s kidnapping in Philadelphia, DA says
By Tom Dougherty, Alicia Roberts, Joe Holden
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Philadelphia (KYW) — Keon King, the man accused of kidnapping Kada Scott in Philadelphia earlier this month, has been charged with arson for allegedly burning the car used in Scott’s abduction, and prosecutors are preparing to file murder charges against him pending more information from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
New charges filed against King, 21, include arson, causing a catastrophe, conspiracy and related offenses, prosecutors said Monday.
King allegedly burned a stolen 2008 Hyundai Accent prosecutors believe was used to move Scott to various locations, including the vacant Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School in East Germantown, where Scott’s remains were found Saturday in a shallow grave. Police sources believe Scott died within 20 minutes after she left work on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Investigators have not yet said how Scott, 23, died or how she knew King. Prosecutors said Monday the Medical Examiner’s Office is actively working to determine the cause of Scott’s death.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said he’s “confident homicide charges will be brought” against King, but prosecutors are awaiting more information to “very precisely confirm everything we need for probable cause.”
Prosecutors are also looking at other people for their possible criminal involvement with Scott’s kidnapping.
Krasner and Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski provided an updated timeline during a press conference Monday.
Prosecutors said the Hyundai Accent was stolen from the 6600 block of Sprague Street on Oct. 3.
Scott went missing from her workplace at an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill the next day, on Oct. 4.
Investigators said the Accent was reported on fire in the 2300 block of 74th Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Prosecutors said the car was then towed to a junkyard and compacted. The fire prevented the collection of DNA evidence, investigators said.
Prosecutors said video from a rec center near the vacant school where Scott’s body was found shows the car at that location. They said police also cross-referenced the video with cellphone evidence, placing King at all of the locations involved in the investigation.
Police searched the area of the vacant Ada H. Lewis Middle School on Wednesday, Oct. 15, finding at least two pieces of personal property belonging to Scott. Another tip over the weekend led investigators back to the area, where Scott’s body was found on Saturday.
“Last week, we received a tip to go to the Ada Lewis Middle School. Investigators went, did a thorough search. Essentially, what the new tip was this weekend was [to] go back,” Toczylowski said. “It was, ‘Go back, she’s there, look again.’ And they did give more specific details in terms of where to look, and ultimately, that is what led us to her.”
Krasner was asked about the identity of that person, who called in with what became a pivotal, case-making tip about where to look for Scott.
“The answer is we don’t know,” Krasner said, “and we are investigating it at this time.”
King was charged twice before with felony counts for attacking an ex-girlfriend. Both times, the charges were withdrawn. Krasner has said witnesses and the victim didn’t show up for the preliminary hearings.
His office has come under scrutiny for not pursuing those cases against King, and the DA has admitted they could have gone forward without witnesses.
“We recognize that there are some things that could have been done in this case,” Krasner said. “From the moment this occurred, we’ve been looking at ways we could improve our systems.”
Kada Scott’s family released a statement Monday saying, in part, “We kindly ask for space and privacy at this time as we process the heartbreaking events of the past few weeks. Our hearts are shattered, yet we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people across the nation and around the world. Please continue to keep us in prayer as we navigate this unimaginable loss. Our hearts are broken beyond measure.”
“Kada was deeply loved. Her light, kindness, and beautiful spirit will forever remain in our hearts,” Scott’s family’s statement said.
Dozens gathered for a vigil Monday night at Ada Lewis Middle School to honor Scott.
Scott’s aunt spoke on behalf of the family at the vigil, saying they’re grateful for the support in the days leading to her discovery.
“We appreciate everyone who took the time to show up on behalf of Kada, that came out, that was here when we weren’t here,” she said.
Family and friends of Scott will be holding a balloon release Tuesday at 6 p.m. in front of the vacant school.
Prosecutors said King would have a bail and preliminary hearing regarding the arson and related charges on Monday or Tuesday.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips, who represents Scott’s district, announced he’s collecting donations for her surviving family members, including self-care items, toiletries and gift cards. Donations will be collected starting Tuesday morning through Saturday.
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