Current:Home > Contact'Extremely dangerous' convicted murderer escapes from prison: DA -NextGenWealth
'Extremely dangerous' convicted murderer escapes from prison: DA
View
Date:2025-04-13 10:18:23
A man recently convicted of stabbing his former girlfriend to death in broad daylight has escaped from a Pennsylvania prison, authorities said.
A manhunt is underway for Danelo Cavalcante, 34, who escaped from the Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township at approximately 8:50 a.m. local time Thursday, officials said.
He was last seen on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township around 9:40 a.m. Thursday, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office, which warned that Cavalcante should be considered "extremely dangerous."
"His depravity knows no bounds and this is someone who has nothing to lose," Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan told reporters at a press briefing Thursday.
Cavalcante was convicted of first-degree murder on Aug. 16 for fatally stabbing his former girlfriend 38 times in front of her two young children in 2021, officials said. At the time there was an active warrant for his arrest for an alleged murder that occurred in his native country of Brazil in 2017, according to Ryan.
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole last week for the fatal stabbing and was set to be transferred to a state correctional institution in four weeks, Ryan said.
"I don't know what he's capable of doing," Ryan said. "If he's already engaged in a murder in broad daylight in front of her two children, there's no stopping him from doing anything more egregious."
MORE: Authorities searching for inmate who escaped from Virginia hospital
How Cavalcante escaped is under investigation, Howard Holland, the acting warden of the Chester County Prison, told reporters.
"Once we noticed we had an issue with an inmate not being there, we mainly followed our protocols -- locked down the prison, did what we call a special count to confirm there was only one person missing," Holland said.
They also locked down schools and sent out alerts to residents in the immediate area of the prison, he said.
Canine units, drones and helicopters have been deployed in the manhunt, which involves law enforcement agencies including Chester County detectives, Pennsylvania State Police and U.S. Marshals.
Ryan said Cavalcante has family in the Phoenixville area in Chester County. She said he was assisted by family and friends in escaping following the 2021 stabbing before being apprehended in Virginia, and that there are concerns about him getting help now.
MORE: Jailers face mounting questions after string of suspected murderers escape
"If there are any family or friends who are actively engaging in assisting him at this time, they will also be prosecuted and we're expecting them to cooperate with law enforcement," she said.
Cavalcante was described as being 5 foot, 120 pounds with black curly hair and brown eyes. He was seen wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts and white sneakers. He is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and speaks some English.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call 911.
ABC News' Jason Volack contributed to this report.
veryGood! (8157)
Related
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- Former MSU football coach Mel Tucker accused by wife of moving money in divorce
- 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar': Release date, cast, where to watch the 'epic saga of love, power, betrayal'
- Ralph Lauren delivers intimate, starry fashion show with Jessica Chastain, Glenn Close, more
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- The Best White Dresses For Every Occasion
- Rihanna Reveals Why Being a Boy Mom Helps Her Embrace Her Femininity
- Missouri Supreme Court strikes down 2022 vote on KC police funding, citing faulty fiscal note
- Connie Chiume, South African 'Black Panther' actress, dies at 72
- Kentucky man on death row for killing 3 children and raping their mother has died
Ranking
- 9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in upheaval after surprise order by US defense chief
- Pennsylvania moves to join states that punish stalkers who use Bluetooth tracking devices
- Midtown Jane Doe cold case advances after DNA links teen murdered over 50 years ago to 9/11 victim's mother
- 2024 NFL draft steals: Steelers have two picks among top 10 in best value
- RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
- Iditarod says new burled arch will be in place for ’25 race after current finish line arch collapses
- 2-year-old boy killed while playing in bounce house swept up by strong winds in Arizona
- Wally Dallenbach, former IndyCar driver and CART chief steward, dies at 87
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
The body of a Mississippi man will remain in state hands as police investigate his death, judge says
Apple juice lot recalled due to high arsenic levels; product sold at Publix, Kroger, more
Focus turns to demeanor of girlfriend charged in Boston officer’s death on second day of trial
Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
Biden administration plans to drastically change federal rules on marijuana
ABC News Meteorologist Rob Marciano Exits Network After 10 Years
U.S. pilot accounted for 57 years after vanishing during Vietnam War spy mission