A $10,000 reward is now being offered by Pennsylvania law enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service for information leading to the capture of a recently escaped inmate. The fugitive, Danelo Cavalcante, 34, is considered highly dangerous and was recently convicted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 2021. Cavalcante, who is also wanted for a homicide in his home country of Brazil, escaped from Chester County Prison on Thursday morning. His current location remains unknown.
Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan has issued a public plea for assistance in locating Cavalcante. Ryan described the fugitive as last seen on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township around 9:40 a.m. Thursday, wearing a white t-shirt, gray shorts, and white sneakers. She urged the public not to approach Cavalcante if spotted, but to call 911 immediately.
The West Chester Police Department, along with multiple other law enforcement agencies, are involved in the manhunt for Cavalcante. He is described as approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 120 pounds, with brown eyes and long, black curly hair. Cavalcante is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and speaks some English. The search for him involves K-9 units, drones, and helicopters.
Chester County Prison Warden Howard Holland declined to comment on how Cavalcante managed to escape from the maximum-security facility. However, he confirmed that an immediate search of the area was initiated, audible alerts were sounded, and the prison was locked down as soon as officials became aware of the escape.
Cavalcante was recently convicted for the first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, Debora Brandao, in Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania, on April 18, 2021. Brandao’s two young children, aged 7 and 3, were present during the murder. After the crime, Cavalcante fled to Virginia, where he was later apprehended by Virginia State Police. He was sentenced to life in prison last week, and is also wanted for a 2017 murder in Brazil.
Pennsylvania State Police Captain Robert Bailey assured the public that every effort is being made to apprehend Cavalcante. District Attorney Ryan also confirmed that the family of Cavalcante’s victim has been informed of his escape.