Murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante Escapes Prison, Betraying Facade of Niceness

POCOPSON TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania – In a daring escape, convicted murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante broke free from Chester County Prison, sparking a nationwide manhunt until his recapture two weeks later. Cavalcante had been serving a life sentence without parole for first-degree murder after fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandão, in April 2021. The escape brought a resurgence of fear and trauma to the victim’s family and the local community.

Cavalcante’s escape came after successfully scaling a wall and bypassing razor wire at Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania. The entire incident was captured on video and made available by NBC News. This escape raised questions about the prison’s security measures, especially after a previous escape occurred from the same exercise yard in May, involving another prisoner.

The manhunt for Cavalcante involved an extensive search effort that culminated in his capture on September 13, putting an end to a two-week-long search. During this time, fear gripped the victim’s family, as they had previously endured the tragedy of losing their beloved Deborah to Cavalcante’s violent actions.

The violent nature of Cavalcante’s crime and the subsequent escape highlighted the potential dangers he posed to society. Additionally, The New York Times reported that Cavalcante was also a suspect in a 2017 murder in his native country of Brazil, adding to the gravity of his actions and the need for his recapture.

Family members and friends of the victim, including her sister Sarah Brandão, spoke out about the traumatic impact of Cavalcante’s actions. Sarah shared chilling details about Deborah’s relationship with Cavalcante, revealing the gradual transformation of his demeanor from caring to possessive and ultimately lethal. The emotional toll of the tragedy extended to Deborah’s children, who witnessed their mother’s brutal murder at the hands of Cavalcante.

In the aftermath of Cavalcante’s re-arrest, Chester County held public meetings to address the trauma and fears that gripped the community during the manhunt. This escape and subsequent capture served as a grim reminder of the ongoing impact of Cavalcante’s heinous crime and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the prison system.