After originally being wanted by Brazilian authorities for his alleged role in the shooting death of Valter Júnior Moreira dos Reis in 2017, Cavalcante fled to the United States.

[10] Investigations indicated that they were friends, and the murder allegedly occurred due to a vehicle-repair debt that dos Reis owed him.

[11] One week after the crime, the Brazilian justice system accepted a request for preventive detention made by the Public Prosecutor's Office, issuing a warrant for him.

[12][13][14] After entering Puerto Rico, Cavalcante obtained a fake ID and eventually settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where his sister and friends were already living.

[16] On April 18, 2021, Deborah was in front of her house in Schuylkill Township with her 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, when Cavalcante attacked her and stabbed her 38 times.

Cavalcante's trial began on August 16, 2023, in Chester County, where a jury took just 15 minutes to reach a guilty verdict.

Police would search this area, with multiple tips and potential sightings being reported by residents, with one homeowner claiming Cavalcante was in his house and even stole food.

During the early morning of September 2, Cavalcante was spotted on a residential security camera crossing through the backyard of a home around 1.5 miles south of the prison.

The next morning, Cavalcante was spotted on a trail camera on the property of Longwood Gardens, located about two miles south of the prison.

Police found that Cavalcante stole a van owned by a local dairy store near Longwood Gardens and drove it to Phoenixville area.

On the morning of September 10, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Cavalcante's stolen van was discovered abandoned and out of fuel in a field in East Nantmeal Township.

Once Cavalcante was confirmed to be armed, police urged residents in the area of South Coventry Township to lock all doors, windows and vehicles, and to shelter-in-place.

[27] Police created a new search perimeter in South Coventry Township that was tighter than previous ones, as they were confident they now had Cavalcante surrounded.

Despite the sighting, police were forced to wait until sunrise to approach because of inclement weather which hindered the surveillance plane from safely operating.

[34][35] After he was returned to prison, Cavalcante was charged with 20 offences related to crimes committed during his escape and time on the run, including felony burglary, criminal trespass and theft.