WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Court of Common Pleas Judge Patrick Carmody this week sentenced Danelo Cavalcante, 34, of Royersford, PA, to life in prison without the possibility of parole followed by 2½-5 years for possessing an instrument of crime for the murder of his 33-year-old former girlfriend in Schuylkill Township on April 18, 2021. The defendant was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing on August 16, 2023. First-degree murder is a mandatory life sentence without parole in PA.
“The defendant committed the most heinous crime imaginable by taking another human life. Not only did he butcher Deborah Brandao to death with 38 stab wounds on virtually every vital organ, he did this in front of her two young children who will have to live with that horrific trauma for the rest of their lives,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “We are very grateful to everyone who assisted with this case including our outstanding Chester County Detectives, Schuylkill Township Police Department, our prosecutors, and crime victim advocate for their persistence in seeking justice for Ms. Brandao and her family.”
According to the information presented in court, on April 18, 2021, at approximately 4:17 p.m., Schuylkill Township Police were dispatched to 337 Pawlings Road for the report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, police witnessed the victim on the ground outside a residence with multiple stab wounds to the chest. A neighbor attempted life-saving measures until emergency services arrived. The victim was immediately transported to Paoli Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators later learned that the victim’s children, ages 4 and 7, were outside with their mother when the defendant arrived at the residence, grabbed the victim’s hair, threw her to the ground, and stabbed her 38 times in her heart, kidney, lungs, and liver, causing her to bleed to death.
During the attack, the victim’s child ran for help and neighbors attempted to assist. The defendant fled the scene prior to police arriving but was arrested hours later after police tracked him in Virginia.
Investigators later learned about a history of domestic violence where the defendant assaulted and threatened to kill the victim during other incidents. When the victim learned that the defendant had an open warrant for murder in Brazil, she threatened to expose him to the police. Detectives determined that this was the motive for the murder.
Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan commended the Chester County Detectives and Schuylkill Township Police Department for the investigation which led to the successful prosecution of Cavalcante. District Attorney Deb Ryan and ADAs Zachary Yurick and Monica Szyszkiewicz are the assigned prosecutors.
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