Who is Eleni Cavalcante? Convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante's sister arrested amid prison escape saga
CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officials made a significant announcement on Sunday, September 10, confirming the arrest of Eleni Cavalcante, who is reportedly facing potential deportation.
The arrest sent shockwaves through the community, as Eleni Cavalcante is none other than the sister of Danelo Cavalcante, a 34-year-old convicted murderer who managed a daring escape from a Pennsylvania prison on August 31.
Why was Eleni Cavalcante arrested?
While the authorities refrained from explicitly stating that Eleni Cavalcante is suspected of aiding her brother's escape, they did reveal that she might have connections with individuals who had knowledge of Danelo Cavalcante's whereabouts.
Although the exact nature of the charges against the escapee's sister remains undisclosed, officials did acknowledge that there are "immigration issues" at play in this complex situation.
Danelo Cavalcante's conviction stems from the tragic murder of his girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in 2021.
In the court proceedings, a key witness, Francisco Lima, who happened to be Eleni Cavalcante's boyfriend, played a pivotal role.
Lima testified that prior to Brandao's murder, the convicted murderer had entrusted him with money to deliver to Eleni Cavalcante. This financial connection raised suspicions about the extent of Eleni's knowledge regarding her brother's actions.
Prosecutors in the case contended that Danelo Cavalcante's motive for the murder was to prevent his ex-girlfriend from reporting him to the police in connection with a killing that had taken place in Brazil.
How did Danelo Cavalcante escape?
The convicted murderer had been awaiting transfer to a state penitentiary when he executed his audacious escape from Chester County Prison on August 31, an incident that was captured on surveillance footage released by authorities.
Law enforcement officials, determined to recapture this "extremely dangerous" criminal, launched an intensive search effort, including canvassing wooded areas near the prison.
Unfortunately, no signs of the fugitive were discovered in these initial searches. Pennsylvania State Police Lt Colonel George Bivens addressed the challenges of securing prison perimeters, stating, "No perimeter is 100% secure. We do the best we can. Most times we’re able to secure it adequately."
During a press conference, Bivens provided details about how Cavalcante managed to evade capture. It was revealed that he had stolen a van from the prison's perimeter on September 9, near the Longwood Gardens property in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Remarkably, the keys to the van were left inside.
Cavalcante apparently wanted to contact an individual he had previously worked with years ago, whom he attempted to reach via a video doorbell. Unfortunately for him, the person was not home at the time but promptly alerted local police after reviewing the footage.
This footage captured both video and audio of Cavalcante, though authorities have not yet disclosed whether or when they intend to release it to the public. Furthermore, the convicted murderer stole another vehicle, which he later abandoned in a barn within a Pennsylvania field on a Sunday morning.
George Bivens emphasized the determination of law enforcement to bring Danelo Cavalcante to justice. Eleni Cavalcante's arrest was made as officials sought to neutralize any potential sources her brother might utilize for assistance.
Bivens explained their approach, stating, "I'm not going to comment on what assistance he may or may not be receiving, but we take steps to try and minimize or eliminate that assistance, and that's exactly what we've done up until this point."
“In the end, I’m confident we’ll capture him and bring him back into the criminal justice system,” Bivens added. “I do believe he’s still in Pennsylvania.”
Police seek the public's help in catching Danelo Cavalcante
Despite the challenges posed by a fugitive who has attempted to change his appearance multiple times, including being clean-shaven and wearing a bright green hooded sweatshirt at one point, Bivens issued a stark warning to the public, saying the escaped convict is considered armed and dangerous.
Individuals are strongly advised against approaching him. Instead, civilians are urged to immediately call 911 or inform the Pennsylvania State Police of any potential sightings or information related to his whereabouts.
George Bivens affirmed that the investigation into Danelo Cavalcante's escape would persist until he is safely returned to custody. As an incentive for public cooperation, a $20,000 reward has been offered to those who provide information leading to his capture, the Union-Bulletin reported.