Escaped Murderer Danelo Cavalcante Spotted Near Scene of 2018 Crime, Massive Manhunt Underway

Nearly a week after brazenly escaping from a Pennsylvania prison, convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante has been spotted in the vicinity of the crime scene from the murder that put him behind bars. The shocking development has ignited a renewed urgent search effort to apprehend the dangerous fugitive.

New Sighting Sparks Alarm

In a post on their official Facebook page on September 3rd, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Cavalcante, 34, had been captured on a residential surveillance camera in West Chester at approximately 12:30am the previous night. The home is located just 1.5 miles away from the Chester County Prison, from which Cavalcante had escaped barefoot on September 1st.

Cavalcante was recorded on video wearing pants, a light-colored t-shirt and sneakers, with his signature long curly black hair. He was also carrying a backpack. Later that evening, police received a report of an attempted burglary just down the road. No one was hurt in either incident, but alarm was raised by Cavalcante’s sudden proximity to the original crime scene.

Notorious Past in Pennsylvania

In 2018, Cavalcante brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend Jessica Cooper inside her home in West Chester. He repeatedly stabbed the young mother in front of her two young children before fleeing the country to Brazil. After being extradited back to the US in 2021, Cavalcante was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

His sudden escape last Thursday sent shockwaves through the community. Now, the new sighting so close to the scene of his past crime has residents on edge and prompted law enforcement to urgently intensify their search.

$10,000 Reward Offered

A wanted poster created by the U.S. Marshals lists Cavalcante as 5’8 and 150 lbs with numerous tattoos. It notes he is also wanted for a separate homicide committed in Brazil. Following the latest development, Pennsylvania law enforcement and the Marshals have upped the reward for information leading to Cavalcante’s capture to $10,000.

District Attorney Deb Ryan urges anyone spotting Cavalcante not to approach him, stating he is “an extremely dangerous man.” Residents are asked to remain vigilant and contact police immediately with any sightings or suspicious activity. Dozens of local, state and federal officers are currently sweeping the surrounding areas on foot and in helicopters.

The massive manhunt will no doubt be intensifying even further in the coming days as authorities strive to apprehend Cavalcante before he can potentially strike again or flee far from the scene. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact authorities without delay.

The community remains on edge as they hope this callous killer is apprehended and brought to justice once more. Anyone with information on Danelo Cavalcante’s location is asked to call 911 or the U.S. Marshals at 1-800-336-0102. You may also submit a tip using the USMS Tips app.