PHILADELPHIA — New charges have been filed against the man accused in the disappearance of a Philadelphia woman.
Keon King, 21, also from Philadelphia, now faces additional charges including arson, causing catastrophe, conspiracy, and tampering with evidence, among others, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced during a press conference on Monday.
King was initially arrested last week and charged with kidnapping in connection to the case involving Scott. He is also facing reinstated charges from an earlier case this year, which had been dropped when a witness failed to appear in court.
These new charges come as authorities say they have located a vehicle believed to be linked to the case. Officials also indicated that others may be involved but did not provide further details about their identities or roles.
A tip led police to a burned 2008 black Hyundai Accent. However, by the time investigators arrived, the vehicle had already been towed, crushed, and taken to a junkyard.
Surveillance footage of the vehicle was obtained, which led investigators to believe the Hyundai was used to transport Scott to the location where her remains were later found near Ada Lewis Middle School.
Officials confirmed the vehicle was stolen on October 3, the day before Scott was last seen, and was burned on October 7.
Cell phone data allegedly places King at various locations tied to the case, including the site where the vehicle was burned and near the recreation center where the remains were discovered.
In the two weeks leading up to the discovery on Saturday, law enforcement searched the grounds near the school and the nearby Awbury Arboretum. They brought in additional K-9 units from New Jersey and temporarily closed Philadelphia’s police academy, deploying 300 recruits to comb the area.
While physical evidence such as Scott’s phone case and debit card were recovered, her body remained missing until a “very specific” tip led to the discovery of her remains on Saturday morning.
“The tip was very specific and brought us back to this location,” said First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford of the Philadelphia Police Department. “We want the person in custody and anyone else involved to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for their actions.”
