KENNETT — As the summer sun slowly began to set on Wednesday evening, millions of people across the nation watched newly released footage of Danelo Cavalcante’s escape from Chester County Prison.
With what appears to be an ease of agility and precision of strength, the convicted killer scales up both sides of a brick wall in a narrow walkway, whilst crawling up backwards, and within seconds disappears, having reached the building’s rooftop.
From there, according to authorities, the fugitive broke through barbed wire and scaled fencing that encircles the prison’s outer perimeter.
That was a week ago. He’s been on the run ever since.
“We will find him,” said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens during a press conference at the Chester County government building in West Goshen on Wednesday afternoon.
In August, Cavalcante was sentenced to serve a life term in state penitentiary. A jury convicted him of killing 33-year-old Deborah Brandao, his ex-partner, in front of her two children outside her home in Schuylkill Township. He stabbed her 38 times. The brutal murder took place in 2021. Both children survived.
Cavalcante broke free from Chester County Prison in Pocopson on Aug. 31.
Seven days later, on Sept. 6, state troopers were densely lined along Route 926 in both Pennsbury and Pocopson townships, and in some places, law enforcement was stationed less than 100 yards apart.
Vehicles were being routinely inspected and searched, as on Tuesday at Hillendale Route and Route 52 in Kennett Township, just shy of the Delaware state line, and around the intersection of Route 52 and Route 926 in Pennsbury where searches were heaviest over this holiday weekend.
John Cerami lives just shy of KARCO Gas Station, the vicinity where Cavalcante has been spotted over the holiday weekend.
John Cerami lives a mile from the gas station. He’s the wine specialist for Fine Wine & Good Spirits at the Shoppes at Longwood Village in East Marlborough Township.
Cerami said he witnessed around 15 troopers “zooming” Route 926 just shy of his home in East Marlborough Township, near the meadows of Longwood Gardens. And as the manhunt continued into day 7, Cerami said he continued to be curious while seeking information on what was happening. Concurrently, he’s locking doors, shutting the garage, and checking for broken windows.
Cerami said Cavalcante must be a survivalist with the ability to live off the land.
“He’s been all over the place. He’s been doing a lot of zigzagging around dusk and through the night,” Cerami said of Cavalcante.
“We’ll see what happens,” Cerami said. “It’s anybody’s guess.”
John D’Amico was in Kennett Square on Wednesday ordering dinner at Liberty Place along State Street. He’s the vice president of J.D. Mushroom of Avondale.
“It’s crazy they haven’t found him,” D’Amico said. “It’s tough.”
D’Amico continued, “There are cops everywhere, they are closing roads — they’re flying helicopters overhead, and I hear they’re using infrared — but it’s what? 90-something degrees out there. How much differentiation is there at the moment?”
Kennett Square resident Sarah Griffith has been hearing helicopters overhead from the beginning of this crisis.
“Labor Day was interesting,” Griffith said. Her daughter, who attends kindergarten in Kennett, has had school canceled for the last two days.
Given the heat and the pressure of more than 200 law enforcement officers conducting the manhunt, Griffith said her biggest surprise is that Cavalcante remains at large.
“It’s a conundrum,” she said. “Is he a survivalist? How is he surviving?”
She added, “I personally have not felt unsafe. It is more of an uneasy feeling.”
Griffith works at Club Pilates in East Marlborough. “I’ve not felt like I can’t go out,” she said. “Obviously, we’re here. We’re at work. My daughter and I have been home. She’s still playing with the neighbors. I’m still making sure — double checking — lock the doors, lock the cars.”
Chester County Deputy Sheriff Darren Smith continued to keep watch at a road closure on Route 926 at Parkerville Road in Pennsbury — day seven of the manhunt for escaped killer Cavalcante.
Smith said community members in the area have been bringing him and fellow members of law enforcement snacks and water throughout this ordeal.
“The people here have been incredible,” Smith said.
Elsewhere in the region, Wednesday’s slated government meeting held by the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors was canceled.
Kennett Township Manager Eden Ratliff said township police have been assisting in the manhunt since Cavalcante first escaped prison on Aug. 31.
“We certainly want to see this brought to a prompt conclusion and encourage our residents to cooperate with law enforcement and follow their guidance. Our hope is that the search is concluded without any injuries or death to members of the search team or area residents,” Ratliff said.
“As the search continues, its stress is impacting no one more than those involved on the front lines,” he said.
Commissioner Josh Maxwell lauded the efforts of law enforcement including local departments who’ve stepped to the plate in the quest to apprehend Cavalcante.
“We’re extraordinarily appreciative of all the law enforcement pulling together to protect the Chester County community. We realize this is a very stressful time,” Maxwell said on Wednesday.
“All those folks are doing everything they can to keep the community safe,” the commissioner said. “Our job right now is to share the state police message — if you see somebody that looks like this individual, immediately call 911 so we can get him back in custody.”
Cavalcante is wanted in Brazil, his native country, regarding another murder case.
As of Wednesday night, there is a $20,000 reward for his capture.
Cavalcante, 34, is approximately 5 feet tall, thin and has black hair.
To make a tip, call 1-877-WANTED2 (1-877-926-8332).
