New information has come to light in the disappearance of 23-year-old Pennsylvania woman Kada Scott, who went missing earlier this month after allegedly being harassed.
During a press conference on Friday, Oct. 17 — two days after Keon King was arrested in connection with Scott’s disappearance — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner shared new developments in the case, which was livestreamed by NBC 10 Philadelphia.
Krasner revealed that additional alleged victims of King, 21, have since come forward to authorities. King was taken into custody on Wednesday, Oct. 15, according to the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD).
Calling the public’s assistance “unprecedented,” Krasner said, “We even have some information about additional victims of this defendant from incidents that never resulted in an arrest.”
“I think part of what is happening here — and it’s good news — is that young people are seeing themselves in Kada,” he continued. “Older people see their kids, and they would like to know that everyone is doing everything they can … to deal with this horrific situation.”
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King was previously charged earlier this year in an unrelated case involving kidnapping and strangulation, though those charges were later withdrawn when the alleged victim did not appear in court. Addressing that decision, Krasner criticized the cash bail system, explaining that prosecutors requested about $1 million bail at the time, but the amount was set lower.
“Keon King had access to a lot of money,” Krasner said, noting that King posted bail “almost immediately.”
He added, “That victim is more likely to walk in the door of the courthouse and testify if that victim knows the defendant can’t walk out right behind her if he’s locked up. Well, he wasn’t locked up here.”
Krasner also urged anyone with information about Scott’s whereabouts — or other possible victims of King — to come forward. He emphasized that a multiagency effort is underway, including the FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, and District Attorney’s Office.
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“I want to make sure people understand that the FBI, the Philadelphia Police Department, the D.A.’s office, and other law enforcement partners are working 24/7 on this case,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can with the extraordinary support coming from the public.”
Authorities previously said Scott was last seen leaving the assisted living facility where she worked on the night of Oct. 4. In the days before she vanished, she reportedly received “harassing” phone calls.
Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski declined to comment on whether King is linked to those calls. She stated during an Oct. 15 press conference livestreamed by 6 ABC that King was the last person in contact with Scott before her phone and social media activity stopped.
Investigators also released images of a vehicle of interest, saying they believe King is connected to it — and that Scott may have been inside.
As for King’s previous case, Toczylowski said investigators believe his alleged actions show a “pattern” and that authorities are refiling those charges.
Scott’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for “credible information that leads directly to Kada’s safe recovery.”
“We just want her home safe,” her family wrote in the fundraiser.
