PHILADELPHIA — Human female remains that were found in a shallow grave on a grounds of an abandoned school are “believed to be” 23-year-old Kada Scott, a Philadelphia woman who has been missing for two weeks, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department told ABC News on Saturday evening.
Police said the medical examiner’s office will work to confirm the identity of the remains and to determine a cause of death.
“While conducting a search of the property, investigators discovered a shallow grave and recovered human remains believed to be those of Kada Scott,” police said in the statement.
“This is a heartbreaking development, and our thoughts are with Kada’s family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time. The Philadelphia Police Department remains committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring that justice is served,” the statement continued.
The remains were found in a heavily wooded area after police received a “very specific” anonymous tip overnight and officers searched the area around 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, First Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department John Stanford told reporters during a press briefing on Saturday evening.
Stanford added that police have been in touch with Scott’s family following the discovery of the remains.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement on Saturday that the city will continue to support Scott’s family amid their “unimaginable pain and turmoil.”
“I pray that God will give the family a certain peace that passes all understanding to meet this moment,” Parker said. “The City of Philadelphia is here to support them in any way that we can. We will continue to stay by their side.”
The remains found Saturday were located in a deeply wooded area behind Ada H. Lewis Middle School, an abandoned school near Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, an area that was central to a search earlier this week, police said on Saturday.
While searching the school grounds on Wednesday they located items believed to belong to Scott, including a cell phone case, an iPad case, glasses and a card bearing her name. The items were recovered by police and are under forensic examination, they said.
Scott was last seen by her mother on Oct. 4 when she was leaving for work at a nearby nursing home, police said last week. Keon King, 21, was previously charged with kidnapping “for his involvement” in the disappearance of Scott, authorities said.
On the evening of Oct. 4, Scott arrived at work, but left prior to her shift’s completion, Philadelphia police Capt. John Craig said during a press conference last week. It was not clear what time Scott left work, but officials said her shift typically was from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Scott was reported missing to police on Oct. 5, with law enforcement saying they had “some concern, more so than usual,” regarding her disappearance due to worrying phone calls she was receiving.
“In the days leading up to her disappearance, Ms. Scott related to her family and friends that an unknown individual or person had been harassing her via phone,” Craig said.
Officials said evidence shows Scott was “in communication with an individual” — they identified as King — and that she appeared to meet with him “very shortly after” she left work on Oct. 4.
“Mr. King is the last person we believe to be in contact with her when she went offline,” Ashley Kozlowski, the Philadelphia assistant district attorney, said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Police were previously asking the public’s help in locating the suspect’s vehicle, a 1999 metallic-gold Toyota Camry with a Pennsylvania license plate of MSX-0797, which they believe Scott may have been in. Later that day, police confirmed to ABC News that King’s vehicle was found in an apartment lot.
Officials said they received two tips, the first led them to an elementary school where they recovered evidence “of value,” and the second that led them to the vehicle connected to Scott’s disappearance.
The 23-year-old’s father, Kevin Scott, told ABC News the family remains confident “she’s gonna be with us as soon as possible.”
“It’s been difficult, extremely difficult. We keep faith that she’s OK and she’s going to be with us as soon as possible, she’s going to be found and hopefully no harm is done to her. I’m going to keep that positive vibe going,” Kevin Scott told ABC News.
ABC News’ Tommy Foster and Tesfaye Negussie contributed to this report.
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