Danelo Cavalcante: Family 'terrified' by killer's escape from US jail

A prison break by a murderer in Pennsylvania has left his victim's family "terrified" and under 24-hour police protection, says a prosecutor.

Danelo Cavalcante, 34, stabbed his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao to death in front of her two young children in April 2021.

The district attorney said Ms Brandao's family has not left home since he escaped from prison on 31 August.

The Brazilian national was sentenced last month to life without parole.

He stabbed Ms Brandao 38 times in front of her seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.

• Escaped inmate has history of abuse and violence

The search entered its ninth day on Friday as Cavalcante continued to elude hundreds of police officers, tracker dogs and aircraft.

On Thursday evening, a sighting of Cavalcante prompted the closure and evacuation of a popular tourist attraction, a nearly 200-acre botanical park known as Longwood Gardens.

In a statement, Longwood Gardens said that it would close "until further notice" as the search continues.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the evacuation was prompted by a sighting of Cavalcante on a trail camera.

Officials also confirmed that he had been seen in the area earlier on Thursday. He had previously been seen on cameras on several occasions near Longwood Gardens on 4 September.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chester County District Attorney Deb Rayan said that the Brandao family is "terrified" and under police protection.

Cavalcante (left) scaled a wall to escape prison and has been on the run since 31 August

"They're barricaded inside and very concerned about their safety.

"We do have police details around them 24 hours a day, but I know they're very, very worried."

Ms Brandao's sister, Sarah Brandao, told CNN she has not been sleeping and is caring for the two children.

Cavalcante is also wanted in Brazil over a killing in 2017.

Investigators believe Cavalcante killed Ms Brandao, also a Brazilian national, after she learned of his warrant back in Brazil and threatened to expose him.

Footage released on Wednesday showed how Cavalcante escaped prison, "crab walking" up two walls separated by a 5ft (1.5m) hallway.

A $20,000 (£16,000) reward is being offered for information leading to his capture.

Timeline of Danelo Cavalcante's escape and manhunt

• Thursday, 31 August: Cavalcante escapes from Chester County Prison after "crab walking" between two walls and pushing through razor wire

• Saturday, 2 September: Cavalcante is seen on a home surveillance camera in Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania about 1.5 miles (2.4km) from the prison

• Monday, 4 September: Authorities begin broadcasting an audio message in Portuguese from Cavalcante's mother, urging him to surrender. He is spotted twice in the Longwood Gardens area

• Tuesday, 5 September: Police expand the search area after Cavalcante slipped past the initial perimeter, prompting the closure of two local school districts

• Wednesday, 6 September: Officials release a video of Cavalcante escaping the prison. The search area is again shifted

• Thursday, 7 September: Longwood Gardens is evacuated and closed after a possible sighting