Escaped Chesco Murderer Has $10K Bounty On Head: DA UPDATE

CHESTER COUNTY, PA –It's been almost 24 hours since convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison Thursday and law enforcement officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

The Chester County Commissioners and the U.S. Marshals Service are offering $5,000 each to anyone who provides information resulting in the capture of Cavalcante.

Cavalcante was convicted on Aug. 16 of first-degree murder in the April 18, 2021 stabbing of Deborah Brandao in front of her children outside her home in the 300 block of Pawlings Road, Schuylkill Township.

He was sentenced on Aug. 22 in the Chester County Justice Center to life in prison after a jury deliberated for 15 minutes.

Cavalcante, a Brazilian man who speaks Portuguese and Spanish and some English, escaped from Chester County Prison at 8:50 a.m. and was last seen walking on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township 50 minutes later.

Cavalcante was wearing a white T-shirt with grey shorts with white sneakers. He is 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, with black curly hair and brown eyes.

"We are asking for the public’s help in locating him. If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911," Ryan said.

The district attorney said Cavalcante has family in Phoenixville. Ryan said the fugitive was assisted by his family and friends in escaping after the 2021 murder before later being apprehended in Virginia, and there are concerns about him getting help now.

Ryan said anyone who actively participates in assisting him will also be prosecuted.

Notification of the escape has been communicated to all residents within a six-mile radius of the prison, police said.

Howard Holland, acting warden of Chester County Prison, said officials are investigating how Cavalcante escaped.

In the meantime, all visitation to the prison has been suspended until further notice, prison officials said.

Chester County detectives and the Pennsylvania state police are leading the search.

Canine units, drones and helicopters have been deployed in the manhunt, which also includes U.S. Marshals.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Cavalcante is asked to call 9-1-1 or contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 or online at usmarshals.gov/tips.