Danelo Cavalcante’s life has been marred by controversy and criminal activities that span multiple countries.
Born on July 3, 1989, in Maranhão, Brazil, Cavalcante found himself at the center of legal troubles that led to murder accusations in Brazil and a subsequent life sentence in the United States.
His escape from custody in the U.S. captivated the nation, resulting in a 14-day manhunt before his recapture.
This tumultuous journey from Brazil to the United States intertwined with violence and evasion, has garnered significant attention from law enforcement and the public alike.
Why Did Danelo Cavalcante Kill?
Danelo Cavalcante’s motivations for killing were driven by a series of disturbing events.
The tragic incident unfolded on November 5, 2017, when he took the life of his acquaintance, Valter Júnior Moreira dos Reis, in Figueirópolis, Tocantins, Brazil.
Probes into the case indicated a possible connection between the crime and an outstanding financial obligation Valter had towards him.
After one week, the Brazilian justice system issued a preventive detention request, but Cavalcante had already become a fugitive, fleeing to the United States in January 2018.
It’s worth noting that the Brazilian justice system took several months to register the warrant in the National Warrant Registry.
In the United States, Cavalcante entered into a relationship with Deborah Brandão. However, when their relationship ended, he didn’t accept it and began threatening her from 2020 onwards.
On April 8, 2021, he brutally attacked Deborah in front of her house, fatally stabbing her 38 times, ultimately leading to her tragic death. Cavalcante was arrested immediately after the horrific crime and was later sentenced to life in prison.
It is suspected that he killed Deborah to prevent her from reporting his outstanding arrest warrant for murder in Brazil to the authorities.
How Old is Danilo Cavalcante?
Danilo Souza Cavalcante was born on July 3, 1989, in Maranhão, Brazil, is a figure whose life story has traversed international borders and entangled him in a web of crime.
As of 2023, at the age of 34, he has made headlines as a Brazilian national accused of murder in Tocantins, Brazil, and a convicted murderer in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania.
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Who is Danilo Cavalcante?
Danilo Cavalcante’s criminal journey took a dramatic turn when he managed to escape from Chester County Prison on August 31, 2023, triggering a frantic 14-day manhunt by law enforcement agencies.
Cavalcante’s tumultuous journey commenced when Brazilian law enforcement issued an arrest warrant in 2017, connecting him to the tragic shooting death of a student in Tocantins.
Fleeing to the United States in search of refuge, Danelo Cavalcante’s journey took a dark turn as he faced conviction and a life prison sentence for a separate crime – the brutal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend in April 2021.
A mere week after his life sentence on August 31, 2023, he masterminded a bold breakout from Chester County Prison located in Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania.
He employed an unorthodox technique, maneuvering upward between two walls in a crab-like motion and skillfully bypassing razor wire barriers.
The ensuing manhunt was nothing short of a massive operation, with 400 local, state, and federal agents scouring the woods of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in pursuit of Cavalcante.
His expertise in hiding, honed while evading Brazilian authorities, made the search all the more challenging.
The search for Cavalcante entered a fresh phase when investigators stumbled upon a stolen van, strongly believed to have been driven by him.
This vehicle found abandoned and completely out of fuel, was tucked behind a barn in Glenmore on the 10th of September.
The situation escalated significantly on September 11 when Danelo Cavalcante’s status was elevated to the Interpol red list, signifying the global urgency of his capture.
In response to this international alert, North American authorities announced a reward of $25,000, motivating individuals to come forward with information that could lead to his arrest.
The high-stakes game of cat and mouse came to an end on the morning of September 13, 2023, when Pennsylvania State Police, acting on a security alarm and thermal imaging indicating Cavalcante’s presence, apprehended him near Prizer Road and PA Route 100 in South Coventry.
He had been hiding in the vicinity of a large pile of chopped wood behind a John Deere store, and a K-9 unit played a crucial role in his apprehension.
Following his capture, Cavalcante’s custody was transferred under the watchful eye of SWAT teams to the Pennsylvania State Police’s Avondale barracks.
From there, he was destined for his next destination, the SCI Phoenix facility in Skippack Township, a journey covering a distance of roughly 50 miles.
This dramatic saga involving international borders and life on the run has captured the attention of law enforcement, the media, and the public alike.
Danelo Cavalcante Girlfriend
Danelo Cavalcante’s relationship with Deborah Brandão began after his illegal entry into the United States through Puerto Rico.
Unfortunately, Deborah, a 33-year-old Brazilian, became a victim of Cavalcante’s violent tendencies of stabbing her over 38 times.
Probes indicated that Cavalcante struggled to accept the conclusion of their relationship and had reportedly issued threats to Deborah starting in 2020.
This tragic situation left behind two young children – a four-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son – who had to endure the horrifying experience of witnessing their mother’s murder.
The identity of their biological father is undisclosed, but it’s evident that Cavalcante is not their biological parent, adding another layer of tragedy to this devastating story.
Danelo Cavalcante Parents
Danelo Cavalcante was born to his father, Mr. Cavalcante, and his mother, Iracema Cavalcante.
In a deeply emotional interview with The New York Times, Iracema Cavalcante shared her poignant perspective, believing that her 34-year-old son would find greater peace in death than enduring a lifetime of imprisonment for the harrowing crime he committed in April 2021 – the murder of his former girlfriend, Deborah Brandao.
This tragic situation has undoubtedly taken a toll on Cavalcante’s family, as they are fighting with the consequences of his actions.
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Danelo Cavalcante Sister
Eleni Cavalcante, the sister of escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante, is facing potential deportation, as reported by The Inquirer. State Police Lt. Col.
George Bivens confirmed that Eleni intended to assist her brother in evading capture but did not provide further details.
She was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to overstaying her visa and not cooperating with the search for her brother.
According to Bivens, her overstay status led to her deportation proceedings, and authorities saw no reason to intervene, deeming her of “no value” to their manhunt.
Eleni Cavalcante’s boyfriend, Francisco Lima, had previously aided Danelo Cavalcante in escaping the area when he was a fugitive after the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in 2021.
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