21-Year-Old Keon King Charged in Connection with Kada Scott’s Abduction but Beauty Queen Still Missing

The mysterious disappearance of 23-year-old Philadelphia beauty queen Kada Scott has shaken her community and captured nationwide attention. Once a radiant figure competing for the Miss Pennsylvania USA crown, Scott is now at the center of an unfolding criminal investigation filled with troubling twists, unanswered questions, and the desperate hope of a family refusing to give up. Authorities have arrested 21-year-old Keon King in connection with her abduction, describing his actions as part of a “pattern of predatory behavior.” Yet, despite his detention, Scott remains missing, and the search for her has only grown more urgent.

A Promising Young Woman’s Disappearance

Kada Scott, a vibrant young woman with dreams of representing Pennsylvania on the national stage, was last seen on the night of October 4 at The Terrace at Chestnut Hill, a senior living facility where she had recently started working the overnight shift. Known for her warmth and kindness, Scott had been employed there for just two weeks, working from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Her family expected her home the next morning—but she never arrived.

When she failed to return, her parents immediately sensed something was wrong. They called the facility, only to receive what they described as “conflicting reports” about her whereabouts. Concern turned into panic as police were contacted and officers arrived at the site. There, they made a chilling discovery: Kada’s car was still in the parking lot, but her phone, iPad, keys, and other belongings were gone. No security cameras covered the lot, leaving investigators with few immediate clues.

Authorities soon learned that Scott had confided in family and friends about receiving harassing phone calls in the days leading up to her disappearance. Those disturbing messages raised alarms that someone may have been stalking or threatening her before she vanished. While police have not confirmed whether King was the person behind those calls, investigators believe the two had been in contact shortly before she disappeared.

Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore explained, “Our evidence is pretty clear that she was in communication with an individual. That individual appears to meet her very shortly after she leaves her place of work, and very shortly after that, she disappears.”

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Scott’s family has since endured an agonizing wait for answers. “I just need her to come home and be safe,” her mother, Kim Matthews, told local reporters. Her father, Kevin Scott, echoed that pain, saying, “You never know what little, small, minuscule information may apply to the big picture—the puzzle that might get Kada home.”

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As days passed, the Philadelphia Police Department expanded their search, deploying K9 units, drones, and crime scene teams to nearby parks and wooded areas. The case soon took a critical turn when investigators received tips leading them to the Awbury Arboretum in East Germantown—a 55-acre nature preserve where Scott’s phone last pinged before going offline. Unfortunately, no physical evidence was found during the initial search, and the mystery only deepened.

A Breakthrough and a Pattern of Violence

Ten days after Kada vanished, investigators finally caught a break. On October 15, a tip led them to an abandoned vehicle at the Gypsy Lane Condos in East Falls—a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry with heavy front-end damage and tinted windows. The car matched the description of one connected to Scott’s disappearance, and its license plate, MSX0797, was already being circulated by police. The vehicle, authorities confirmed, belonged to Keon King, whose family lives nearby.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski told reporters, “We believe she may have been in that vehicle.” Surveillance footage showed the driver arriving and leaving the property within about 35 minutes, though investigators have not yet confirmed who was behind the wheel.

Just hours before the discovery of the car, police received another tip that prompted them to search Ada H. Lewis Middle School, an abandoned building near the arboretum. There, officers uncovered what they described as “physical evidence” tying Scott to the scene. While investigators have not publicly detailed what was found, sources indicated that a card and phone case believed to belong to Kada were recovered. “This is very substantial,” Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp said.

The discovery reignited the case and focused attention on King, the man now charged with Scott’s abduction. Court records revealed that King’s background was riddled with troubling incidents. Earlier this year, he was accused of kidnapping and assaulting another woman, a case that was later dismissed when the victim failed to appear in court. That case has since been reopened in light of Scott’s disappearance.

“At this point, he will have two open kidnapping cases that will face preliminary hearings in the coming months,” said Toczylowski. “We are deeply concerned about the pattern emerging here.” King’s criminal record extends beyond kidnapping. He has been charged in the past with fleeing from police, driving without a license, and faces a pending DUI from December 2024. According to investigators, his behavior reflects a disturbing escalation, suggesting a repeated pattern of targeting women.

Philadelphia Police 1st Deputy Commissioner John Stanford urged others who may have encountered King to come forward. “Anyone that may have been involved with this individual or anyone that may know this individual, please make that phone call,” he said. “If you have been a victim of any crime regarding this individual, we want you to understand that now is the time to let us know.”

As these revelations emerged, the city of Philadelphia was left reeling. Many residents expressed frustration that King’s earlier charges had been dropped, wondering whether Scott’s disappearance could have been prevented if the system had acted sooner. For Scott’s family, the focus remains on finding their daughter, but the backdrop of systemic failure looms large in the community’s outcry.

The Search Intensifies and Hope Persists

Despite the mounting evidence linking King to Kada’s disappearance, police have yet to locate her. Every day that passes brings renewed anxiety for her loved ones and a growing network of volunteers determined to bring her home. Flyers bearing her photo blanket Philadelphia neighborhoods, and a GoFundMe campaign launched by her family has helped fund a reward for credible information.

“We’re canvassing every neighborhood, following every tip, doing everything we can,” her father said. “You never know what piece of information could break this open.” Authorities, too, are leaving no stone unturned. Along with Philadelphia Police, the FBI has joined the investigation, providing technical support and forensic expertise. Drone teams have revisited wooded areas, and forensic specialists continue to analyze the evidence retrieved from the abandoned school. “We are still treating this as an active search,” said Commissioner Stanford. “There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”

As the search stretches into its second week, investigators are piecing together the final hours before Scott disappeared. The sequence of events points to a meticulously planned abduction. King allegedly contacted her repeatedly in the days prior, establishing a pattern of communication that culminated in their suspected meeting the night she vanished. Police believe that within minutes of leaving her workplace, Scott encountered King—and that encounter was the last confirmed sighting of her.

The discovery of King’s car, and the evidence recovered near Awbury Arboretum and the abandoned school, have given investigators critical leads. However, they still face the daunting task of determining where Kada was taken next. While police have not publicly stated whether they suspect foul play, the language used by officials—particularly their references to “abduction” and “physical evidence”—suggests that investigators fear the worst.

For the Scott family, however, hope remains the driving force. “We just want her home,” her mother said quietly at a recent vigil. “We’re praying she’s still out there, that someone sees something and says something.”

Community members have joined the effort, organizing search parties and rallies demanding action. The case has also sparked wider conversations about women’s safety, particularly for those working late-night shifts or in isolated environments. Advocates have called for improved security measures at workplaces like The Terrace at Chestnut Hill, where a lack of surveillance cameras has made it difficult to reconstruct Scott’s final moments there.

Investigators continue to rely heavily on public assistance. “Every lead matters,” Stanford emphasized. “Even the smallest detail could be what leads us to finding her.” Citizens are urged to contact the Philadelphia Police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) if they have any information about Kada’s whereabouts or any additional knowledge about King’s activities.

Meanwhile, Keon King remains in custody, facing kidnapping and related charges. Prosecutors are working to build their case while awaiting results from forensic testing of the recovered evidence. Assistant District Attorney Toczylowski has vowed that her office will pursue justice for Kada and for any other victims who may come forward.

For now, the story of Kada Scott is a haunting reminder of how quickly a life full of promise can be disrupted by violence. From the bright lights of beauty pageants to the grim uncertainty of a criminal investigation, her journey has become one of heartbreak and endurance. As night falls each day over Philadelphia, candles flicker outside the nursing home where she was last seen. Her family continues to wait, to hope, and to plead for answers—while police press forward in their search for truth and, above all, for Kada herself.