Cavalcante receives additional sentence following 2023 escape

Danelo Cavalcante has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to his escape from Chester County Prison and other criminal activities during his 13-day abscondence, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Friday.

Cavalcante, who in 2023 was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder after fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao in 2021, was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole when he escaped Chester County Prison by scaling a pair of parallel walls just two weeks after his conviction. Following his escape, a manhunt followed him through Longwood Gardens, Phoenixville, and South Coventry Township, where he was ultimately captured.

“This defendant was already serving a life sentence when he escaped and put an entire community on edge as he continued to commit more crimes while on the run,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. “I commend the immense effort of the hundreds of troopers, officers, and agents who worked tirelessly to bring him into custody.”

Already serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, Cavalcante, 35, pleaded guilty to additional charges, including burglary, escape, and persons not to possess a firearm. For these crimes, he has been sentenced to an additional 15-30 years in a State Correctional Institution, to be served consecutive to his current life sentence.