What to Know
- A manhunt stretched into a second day after a convicted murderer escaped from Chester County prison Thursday morning.
- Thirty-four-year-old Danelo Cavalcante was last seen Thursday morning in Pocopson Township, authorities said.
- “Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man," Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said.
Editor's Note (Sept. 1, 2023, 3:25 p.m.): This story is no longer being updated as the search continues for convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante.
A convicted murderer who stabbed his ex-girlfriend in front of her children escaped from Chester County prison Thursday just days after he was sentenced to life in prison.
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Danelo Cavalcante, 34, left the the Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township, according to a message sent by the Chester County Department of Emergency Services on behalf of Pennsylvania State police through the Ready Chesco system.
He was first reported missing around 8:50 a.m., the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.
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An 'extremely dangerous' killer on the loose
"He is convicted of homicide and presumed extremely dangerous," the Ready Chesco alert, which was sent to people within a 6-mile radius of the prison, said.
"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.
Cavalcante is a Brazilian man who fluently speaks Portuguese and Spanish and some English and stands around 5 feet tall and weighs around 120 pounds, officials said. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts and white sneakers.
A photo released by the DA's office shows what he looked like at the time of his escape.
According to court records, he was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month of stabbing and killing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao in front her her children in April 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole just last week.
Chester County DA Deb Ryan said that law enforcement has been in touch with the children and that they are safe.
The manhunt continues into Friday as it remains unclear how he escaped
Authorities didn't immediately reveal how Cavalcante -- who is also wanted in a killing in Brazil -- got out.
He was last seen near on Wawaset Road, Ryan said Thursday.
“Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man," Ryan said. "We are asking for the public’s help in locating him. He was last seen walking on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township around 9:40 a.m. The defendant is also wanted for a 2017 murder in Brazil."
Acting prison warden Howard Holland refused to reveal details about the escape during a Thursday afternoon news conference. He did, however, say that protocols immediately went into effect and the prison was locked down once they learned of the escape.
Ryan said part of the search efforts included contacting family he has in the area to urge them to alert authorities should Cavalcante contact them.
Despite the search efforts Thursday, the manhunt entered a second day Friday.
"The search for prison escapee Danelo Cavalcante continues with detectives and hundreds of police officers using every means available, including search helicopters and dogs," the DA's office said Friday morning. "We are following up on every lead."
State police said Thursday they are doing everything the can to capture Cavalcante. On Friday, the asked for the public's help to "check their video surveillance to include video doorbells, surveillance cameras, and trail cameras for any signs of Cavalcante."
"Also, anyone living in the area is asked to check their properties including barns, sheds, and vehicles for any signs Cavalcante might have been there," state police said.
A $10,000 reward for Danelo Cavalcante's capture
An attorney who represented Cavalcante in his murder trial has yet to return a request for comment from NBC10.
Authorities initially asked that anyone who spots the escaped killer to call 911 immediately.
"Law enforcement is doing everything now to locate him," Ryan said. "If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.”
By Friday morning, the DA's office added to the phone numbers tipsters could reach out to:
"If anyone knows or sees anything at all that they suspect may involve this man, please call 9-1-1 or the U.S. Marshal tipline at 1-877-WANTED2 (1-877-926-8332) immediately," the DA's office said.
Tipsters could wind up getting paid.
A $10,000 reward ($5,000 from each the county commissioners and U.S. Marshals) is being offered "for any information that leads to the capture of Cavalcante," the DA's office said.
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