Philadelphia investigators say they have located human remains believed to belong to Kada Scott, a young woman whose disappearance has shaken the city. As reported by NBC News, officers made the discovery Saturday morning in a wooded area behind the abandoned Ada H. Lewis Middle School in Germantown after receiving a credible tip.

Deputy Commissioner John Stanford confirmed that the remains were buried in a shallow grave close to where Scott’s belongings had been recovered earlier in the week. “We are not confirming that it is Ms. Scott,” Stanford told reporters. “But we have recovered a human being and remain in contact with her family as this process continues.” The remains were transported to the medical examiner’s office for identification and to determine the cause of death.

Scott, 23, was last seen on October 4 before beginning her overnight shift at The Terrace at Chestnut Hill, an assisted living facility where she worked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. When she did not return home the following morning, her family became concerned and reported her missing. Police later found her car in the employee parking lot, but her iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch were gone.

A breakthrough came when investigators identified 21-year-old Keon King as a person of interest. According to ABC News, King turned himself in to authorities earlier in the week and now faces multiple charges including kidnapping, stalking, false imprisonment, and tampering with evidence.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said King was the last known person to have communicated with Scott before her phone stopped transmitting data. Detectives also recovered a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry believed to be tied to King, which is now undergoing forensic testing. Officials revealed that King was previously investigated in an unrelated kidnapping and strangulation case that has since been reopened.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker offered condolences to the family and pledged continued support. “I pray that God will give the family peace that surpasses all understanding,” she said. 

Scott’s family described her as compassionate and ambitious, a Penn State graduate who had recently begun her career in caregiving.