'Extremely dangerous' escaped murderer sighted in Chester County. Stay inside, DA says

Matthew Korfhage, USA TODAY NETWORK
Updated ·2 min read
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The manhunt for an escaped convicted murderer continues for a third day in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Danelo Cavalcante, 34, convicted of killing his former girlfriend in Pennsylvania and wanted for another murder in Brazil, was sighted on the residential 1800 block of Lenape Road in the area of Pocopson Township early Saturday morning.

Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison at 8:50 a.m. Thursday morning. Authorities have used drones, helicopters and dogs to track Cavalcante, without success so far, according to Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan.

U.S. Marshals and local officials have offered a $10,000 reward for Danelo Souza Cavalcante after he escaped from a Pennsylvania prison on Aug. 31, 2023
U.S. Marshals and local officials have offered a $10,000 reward for Danelo Souza Cavalcante after he escaped from a Pennsylvania prison on Aug. 31, 2023

Cavalcante was caught on camera at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, and again at 1:43 a.m., according to the District Attorney's Office. He wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts and white sneakers and has not changed his appearance.

Searchers had focused on waterways and other routes out of the area, including railways, Ryan told reporters Friday. The most recent sighting places the fugitive just 1.3 miles from the prison he escaped two days earlier.

In a 3 pm. news conference on Saturday, District Attorney Ryan said law enforcement believed Cavalcante remained within a few miles of the prison, in a residential area. More than 100 investigators were canvassing the area, said Pennsylvania State Police Captain Robert Bailey, at the same conference.

Previously: 'Extremely dangerous' man escapes Pa. prison after getting life for murdering ex-girlfriend

Monday update: Chester County manhunt ongoing for escaped murderer

Chester County law enforcement is asking residents to stay inside, with locked doors.

“Law enforcement is requesting that residents in the area remain indoors at this time. Lock your vehicles. Review your surveillance cameras and contact police if you observe anything suspicious," wrote District Attorney Ryan in a statement Saturday. "Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man. Please remain vigilant in assisting with this search. If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.”

For safety, the nearby Longwood Gardens announced it would close Saturday as the manhunt continues. On Sunday, Longwood said it would remain closed.

Cavalcante was sentenced to life without parole last week for stabbing his 33-year-old former girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, 38 times in the presence of her 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, according to the District Attorney's Office. Ryan said Cavalcante should be considered "extremely dangerous," and told USA TODAY that "his depravity knows no bounds." Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his capture.

Matthew Korfhage is a Philadelphia-based reporter with USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at mkorfhage@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: New sighting of escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante in Pocopson, Pa.