Who is Danelo Cavalcante, the Escaped Murderer on the Run in Pennsylvania?
Danelo Souza Cavalcante, a 34-year-old Brazilian man, was convicted of first-degree murder in Pennsylvania for the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in front of her children in 2021. In August 2023, he received a life sentence without parole.
However, on September 1, 2023, he managed to escape from Chester County Prison while awaiting transfer to a state correctional institution. He is also wanted in Brazil for another homicide in 2017.
Cavalcante and Brandao met online and dated for about a year before breaking up in 2020. He moved to Virginia and worked as a landscaper.
Prosecutors alleged that he killed Brandao to prevent her from reporting his criminal charges in Brazil, where he was accused of shooting and killing a man during a robbery. He was captured in Virginia after Brandao’s murder and brought to Pennsylvania for trial.
During the trial, Cavalcante claimed self-defense, asserting that Brandao attacked him with a knife. However, the jury rejected his defense and found him guilty of premeditated murder. He displayed no remorse and even smiled when the verdict was announced, leading to his life sentence on August 16, 2023.
Cavalcante’s escape from Chester County Prison on September 1, 2023, is still under investigation, but authorities suspect he may have used a tool or weapon to cut through a fence.
He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts, white sneakers, and carrying a backpack. He has curly black hair, brown eyes, a beard, and a mustache. He stands at 5 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.
Since his escape, he has been spotted on residential surveillance cameras in Pocopson Township, approximately 1.5 miles from the prison. He is also suspected of attempting to break into a home in the same area.
A massive search operation involving U.S. Marshals, SWAT teams, and local, state, and federal agencies is underway, employing drones, helicopters, dogs, and thorough checks of railways, waterways, and routes out of the area.
Cavalcante is considered extremely dangerous and possibly armed. Authorities strongly advise the public not to approach him if sighted.
Residents are urged to stay indoors, secure their vehicles and doors, review their surveillance cameras, and contact the police if they notice anything suspicious. Neighbors are encouraged to look out for missing cars, bicycles, or any other mode of transportation Cavalcante could use to flee.
A combined reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to Cavalcante’s capture. Anyone with information about his whereabouts or activities is urged to call 911 immediately or contact the Chester County District Attorney’s Office at (610) 344-6801.
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