Stunning video shows how convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison

A captivating video showcases the daring escape of convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante from Chester County Prison. The dramatic footage, released by authorities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, reveals the audacious escape that occurred at 8:51 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, within the confines of the facility in Pocopson Township.Show more

In the video, Cavalcante is seen approaching a doorway at Chester County Prison, briefly glancing over his shoulder before executing his plan. With remarkable agility, he positions his hands on one wall and his feet on another, skillfully scaling the walls while remaining parallel to the ground.

Acting Warden Howard Holland disclosed that Cavalcante's escape route led him to ascend to the roof, navigate through razor wire, conquer another fence, and once again traverse razor wire to secure his freedom. Remarkably, despite the presence of a guard in the observation tower, the escape went unnoticed.

Holland acknowledged that the guard in the tower is currently on administrative leave as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. "The actions of the tower officer present at the time of Cavalcante's escape are a key part of our internal investigation. We will be taking appropriate action against personnel based on that investigation," Holland stated.

Cavalcante's escape bears a striking resemblance to the escape of Igor Bolte, who employed a similar method on May 19. In Bolte's case, the prison guard in the observation tower promptly detected the escape, leading to his swift recapture.

To enhance prison security, Holland announced plans to station a guard in the recreation center yard, add another guard in the tower, and fortify the recreation yards with fencing.

However, a concerning detail emerged on Wednesday: it took a full hour for Cavalcante's absence to be reported when he failed to return from recreation time. The timeline provided by Acting Warden Howard Holland sheds light on the events:

- 8:33 a.m.: Cavalcante's block entered the exercise yard.
- 8:51 a.m.: Cavalcante executed his daring escape.
- 9:35 a.m.: Cavalcante's block returned to the unit from the yard.
- 9:45 a.m.: Officers on Cavalcante's block informed central control of a missing inmate.
- 9:48 a.m.: Officers communicated to central control that Cavalcante was missing, initially believing he might be in a phone visiting room.
- 9:50 a.m.: The prison was locked down, and a special count was conducted.
- 10:01 a.m.: The public escape siren was sounded, and the 911 center was notified.

Recent sightings of Cavalcante in the area of Chandler Road in Pennsbury Township have fueled the manhunt. However, dense woods, thick underbrush, and the sweltering Chester County weather have posed challenges for law enforcement. Police have been adjusting the search perimeter based on sightings and possible movements.

Despite the challenging terrain, authorities remain committed to locating Cavalcante, who has acquired a backpack, clothing, and unspecified supplies. Residents are urged to secure their properties, check on neighbors, and monitor security cameras for any suspicious activity.

Cavalcante is described as five feet tall, weighing 120 pounds, with long, shaggy black curly hair and brown eyes. He is a Brazilian man who speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and some English.

Cavalcante's conviction stems from the brutal murder of his former girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, whom he fatally stabbed 38 times in front of her two young children in Schuylkill Township in 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole and was scheduled to be transferred to a state correctional institution.

Residents are encouraged to report any information related to Cavalcante's whereabouts to 911 or the U.S. Marshals' Tipline at 877-WANTED-2, with a $10,000 reward offered for information leading to his capture.

Due to the ongoing search, schools in the area, including the Kennett Consolidated School District and Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, have temporarily closed. Other sightings of Cavalcante have been reported, intensifying the efforts to locate and apprehend him.