Cause of Death Revealed for Kada Scott, Whose Remains Were Found Behind Abandoned School After She Received ‘Harassing’ Calls
Authorities in Pennsylvania have released the cause and manner of death for Kada Scott, whose remains were discovered in a wooded area two weeks after she disappeared.
Scott, 23, went missing from her workplace in Philadelphia, Penn., on Oct. 4, police previously said.
Keon King, 21, was arrested on Oct. 15 and has since been charged with several offenses including murder and arson, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
Officials from the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office say they have now determined how Scott died and that the nature of her death was homicide.
Scott died from a gunshot wound to the head, the medical examiner’s office confirmed on Thursday, Oct. 23, per NBC 10, 6 ABC and FOX 29.
Her date of death is listed as Oct. 18. However, officials initially alleged she was killed shortly after she met up with King on the evening she disappeared, per NBC 10 and FOX 29.
PEOPLE was unable to independently verify the exact date of death as the medical examiner’s office did not respond to requests for information.
Keon King, 21, was charged in connection to the disappearance of a 23-year-old Kada Scott, who has been missing since Oct. 4, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Philadelphia Police Department
Scott vanished after she was subject to “harassing” phone calls in the days leading up to her disappearance, Philadelphia police previously told PEOPLE. When inquired during the early stages of the investigation, police declined to comment on whether King is connected to the phone calls.
Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of the relationship between Scott and King but previously said they briefly knew each other. Court documents obtained by FOX 29 show the two had been texting and had plans to meet up the evening she disappeared.
Missing Person Case of Kada Scott, Who Vanished After ‘Harassing Calls,’ Now Being Investigated by Homicide Unit
Kada Scott
As the investigation into King unfolded, authorities learned about additional alleged victims.
King had been charged with kidnapping and strangulation stemming from a domestic incident earlier this year, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said following his arrest. Those charges were withdrawn when the alleged victim did not show up in court, but prosecutors have since said they would refile those charges.
Other alleged victims of King have also come forward in cases that never resulted in his arrest, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, per NBC 10.
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Scott’s remains were found in a wooded area near an abandoned school on Oct. 18.
Toczylowski has said investigators traced King’s cell phone to the location where her remains were found, and that the phone’s activity at the location matches the timeline of burning a vehicle of interest. She said investigators believe King used that vehicle to “move” Scott.
Human remains found behind abandoned school amid search for Kada Scott, Philadelphia police say
Scott’s family is requesting she be remembered for her “kindness and contagious joy and smile and wonderfulness.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to assist them with raising awareness about her case.
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In addition to murder, King has been charged with arson, robbery, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, among other charges, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
Attorney information was not available in the court records, which noted he is scheduled for his arraignment on Thursday, Oct. 23.