Who Was Deborah Brandao? Biography, Wiki
Deborah Brandao was a woman living in Pennsylvania with her two young children. She was a loving mother, a hard-working immigrant, and a victim of domestic violence. She was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend Danelo Cavalcante in front of her children in April 2021.
Cavalcante, a Brazilian citizen also wanted for another murder in his home country, escaped from prison in August 2023, sparking a large-scale manhunt. This is the tragic story of Deborah Brandao and the man who took her life.
Age
Her current age is 33 years old.
Some Short Bio And Quick Info
| Complete Name | Deborah Brandao |
| Age | 33 years |
| DOB | Not Available |
| Place of birth | Brazil |
| Date of death | 18th April 2021 |
| Place of death | Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania |
| Cause of death | Stab wounds |
| Children | One daughter and one son |
| Ex-boyfriend | Danelo Cavalcante |
Deborah Brandao’s Relationship With Her Ex-Boyfriend Danelo Cavalcante
Deborah Brandao met Danelo Cavalcante when they were neighbors in Chester County, Pennsylvania. They were both from Brazil and came to the United States looking for a better life. They started dating and initially seemed to have a good relationship. Cavalcante was kind to Debora and her children, a daughter and a son, who were four and six years old at the time of her death.
Deborah Brandao’s Daughter Testifies
According to Deborah’s sister Sarah Brandao, who also lived nearby and now looks after the children, Cavalcante has changed over time. He became extremely jealous, possessive, and violent. He went through Deborah’s phone, drank alcohol, and physically and verbally abused her. He bit her, chased her with a knife, and threatened to kill her.
In December 2020, Deborah filed a protection order against Cavalcante, but he repeatedly violated it. She also found out that he was wanted by Brazilian police for killing a man over a car repair debt in 2017. She tried to use this information to keep him away from her, but it didn’t work, it just made him more dangerous.
Debora Brandao Cause Of Death
On April 18, 2021, Cavalcante showed up at Deborah’s home in Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania, where she lived with her children and other family members. He confronted her outside the house and began arguing with her.
Then he pulled her by her hair and knocked her down. He pulled out two kitchen knives and stabbed her 38 times in the chest, stomach, shoulders, mouth, and throat.
He did it in front of Deborah’s children, who were playing nearby. They witnessed the horrific scene and ran into the house to ask their neighbors for help.
Neighbors called 911 and tried to save Deborah’s life, but it was too late. She died from her injuries at the scene of the accident. Cavalcante fled the area in his car and was arrested in Virginia later that day.
He was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, possession of criminal instruments, and violating a protection from abuse order.
Danelo Cavalcante’s Prison Break
Cavalcante was found guilty of murder on August 16, 2023, after a three-day trial in Chester County Court. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But less than two weeks later, he managed to escape from the Chester County Jail in Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania.
On August 31, 2023, at around 8:50 a.m., Cavalcante managed to escape from prison using an unusual method. He climbed over a wall like a crab and crossed barbed wire to reach the prison roof.
He then jumped to another area of the prison and fled on foot. He took the same route that another prisoner took to escape in May 2023.
Prison staff didn’t notice his escape until an hour later when they were conducting a head count. They alerted authorities and closed the prison. To find Cavalcante, a large-scale search effort was launched involving hundreds of agents from local, state, and federal agencies. They used helicopters, drones, dogs, and thermal imaging cameras to find him.
Cavalcante was considered extremely dangerous and was determined not to get caught. He had connections to Puerto Rico and Brazil and may have been trying to flee the country.
Authorities warned the public not to approach him or help him in any way. They also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
As of September 12, 2023, Cavalcante remains a refugee.
Deborah Brandao Obituary
Deborah Brandao’s death left her family and friends with a legacy of pain and hope. Her sister, Sarah Brandao, said she misses her every day and fears Cavalcante could harm her or her children. He said he hoped he would be arrested soon and brought to justice for his crimes.
He also said that Deborah was a wonderful person who loved her children more than anything. He said he came to the United States to give them a better future and worked hard to support them.
He said Deborah’s children were traumatized by what they saw, but they were strong and resilient.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help Sarah Brandao and the children with their expenses and needs. The page has raised more than $40,000 from more than 800 donors. The page also received many messages of condolences and support from people affected by Déborah’s story.
Deborah Brandao’s obituary is a sad reminder of the devastating effects of domestic violence and the need to prevent and address it. Her story also shows the courage and compassion of a mother who tried to protect her children and the kindness and generosity of a community that came together to help them.
Facts About Debora Brandao
- She was a 33-year-old woman living in Pennsylvania with her two young children.
- She was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Danelo Cavalcante in front of her children in April 2021.
- Cavalcante was a Brazilian citizen who was also wanted for another murder in Brazil in 2017.
- He escaped from prison in August 2023, sparking a large-scale manhunt.
- Deborah’s sister Sarah Brandao watches the children and hopes that Cavalcante will be arrested soon.
- To help the family, a GoFundMe page was created and has raised more than 40,000 US Dollars.
