Philadelphia police have arrested Keon King, a man with a prior record of targeting young women, in connection with the disappearance of 23-year-old beauty pageant contestant, Kada Scott.
Scott, who was last seen in early October leaving her workplace at a senior living facility in Chestnut Hill, remains missing. Authorities say King, from Southwest Philadelphia, has been charged with kidnapping, though investigators continue to search for Scott, as the case has now been joined by the homicide division.
During a Wednesday press conference, Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore confirmed that King was the last person known to have been in contact with Scott.
“Our evidence is pretty clear that she was in communication with an individual,” Vanore said. “That individual appears to meet her very shortly after she leaves her place of work, and very shortly after that, she disappears.”
Suspect’s Vehicle and Witness Appeal
Authorities are searching for a vehicle believed to be linked to Scott’s disappearance — a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry with Pennsylvania tag MSX0797, which has heavy front-end damage on the driver’s side.
“We believe she may have been in that vehicle,” said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski.
The vehicle has been sighted in multiple Philadelphia neighborhoods, including Mount Airy, Center City, Grays Ferry, and Southwest Philadelphia, and may even be outside the city.
Residents who spot a car matching this description are urged to contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
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King’s Criminal History
Prosecutors revealed that King has a pattern of targeting women, citing a previous kidnapping and strangulation case from earlier in 2025. That case was never tried after the alleged victim failed to appear in court. Officials said they now intend to refile those charges in light of Scott’s disappearance.
Assistant District Attorney Toczylowski described King’s alleged behavior as part of a “disturbing pattern,” and encouraged any other possible victims to come forward.
Ongoing Search for Kada Scott
Police say Scott’s car remained at her workplace the day she vanished, and her phone has been inactive since.
Authorities are treating the case as an active missing-person investigation, though the homicide division has now taken the lead due to its advanced investigative resources.
“The number one priority is locating Ms. Scott,” said First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford.
“The case was shifted to homicide because we have the most experienced investigators in that unit,” he added.
Scott, described by friends as an ambitious beauty pageant contestant and caregiver, had reportedly told others she was being harassed before her disappearance — though it remains unclear whether King was the person involved.
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Investigation Expands
The FBI is now assisting local authorities in the search.
King currently faces multiple kidnapping charges, including one directly tied to Scott’s case.
Police continue to urge the public:
“Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Kada Scott or suspect Keon King’s activities is asked to call or text 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online.”
