Phoenixville is about 25 miles north of where the search has been taking place. Mr. Cavalcante, a Brazilian national, murdered his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandão, just outside of the town in April 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder just days before he escaped. According to testimony at his trial,
reported in the Daily Local News of West Chester, Mr. Cavalcante, who had been living in a town a few miles away,
had a sister living in Phoenixville, and
called on friends there after the murder to help him flee. He was caught in Virginia; authorities believe he was trying to make his way back to Brazil.
Ms. Brandão’s sister and children still live in the Phoenixville area as well. Last Thursday, Deborah Ryan, the Chester County district attorney, said that they were “terrified” of Mr. Cavalcante and had not left their home since he escaped.
“They’re barricaded inside and very concerned about their safety,” Ms. Ryan said, adding that
they were under 24-hour-a-day police protection.