Danelo Cavalcante: Convicted murderer escapes Pennsylvania prison one week after getting life sentence
CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA: Danelo Cavalcante, a 34-year-old 'extremely dangerous' Brazilian man who was convicted of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in front of her two children in Pennsylvania last year, has escaped in Jailbreak.
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole last week and was held at Chester County Jail where he escaped on Thursday morning, triggering a massive manhunt and a public alert.
What was Cavalcante sentenced for?
Cavalcante killed his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in April 2021, outside her home near Philadelphia.
He stabbed her more than a dozen times as her seven-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son watched in horror.
“Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man," Ryan said. "We are asking for the public’s help in locating him Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said.
He was arrested shortly after the brutal attack and found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury in February 2023.
He was also wanted for another murder in Brazil in 2017, according to Ryan.
Ryan said Cavalcante is considered an “extremely dangerous man” and urged the public to help locate him," NBC10 reported.
Inmate Escape from Chester County Prison
— Chester County District Attorney's Office (@chescoda) August 31, 2023
POCOPSON TOWNSHIP, PA – August 31, 2023 – Officials of Chester County Prison report that at approximately 8:50 a.m. Danelo Cavalcante escaped from Chesco Prison. A search of the prison and surrounding area is currently being conducted. pic.twitter.com/fWh96QjXLe
How did Danelo Cavalcante escape?
It is unclear how Cavalcante escaped from the correctional facility, which is located outside Philadelphia.
He was reported missing around 8.50 am Thursday and last seen walking on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township around 9.40 am wearing a white T-shirt, grey shorts and white sneakers.
He is described as 5 feet tall, 120 pounds, light-skinned, with shaggy, curly black hair and brown eyes.
Residents living within a six-mile radius of the jail were warned not to approach him and to call 911 immediately if they see him.
"Chester County Detectives and the Pennsylvania State Police are conducting a thorough county-wide search, and prison officials are conducting an internal investigation," the DA's office said as per the outlet.
What are investigators and police doing to catch him?
State police said they are doing everything they can to capture Cavalcante.
Ryan said authorities have also contacted Cavalcante’s family members in the area and asked them to alert law enforcement if he reaches out to them.
However, acting prison warden Howard Holland refused to reveal details about the escape during a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
He said the penitentiary was locked down once they learned of the escape and that protocols were immediately put into effect.
