A convicted murderer who escaped from prison last month has been spotted and has changed his appearance, police in the US have said.

Danelo Cavalcante, who was jailed in Pennsylvania for killing his former girlfriend in 2021, broke out of Chester County Prison on 31 August.

He escaped by “crab-walking” up the walls in the outdoor exercise area before climbing onto the roof, CCTV showed.

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Killer ‘crab-walks’ out of prison

A prison guard on duty when Cavalcante escaped was dismissed for having a mobile phone in the tower, police said on Friday.

Cavalcante, 34, stabbed Deborah Brandao 38 times in front of her two young children, wounding almost all her vital organs.

He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole last month.

Prosecutors called it a “heinous” attack likely to leave her four and seven-year-old children with “horrific” lifelong trauma.

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He was last seen on Saturday “in the northern Chester County area near Phoenixville,” George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said.

A reward of up to $20,000 (£16,000) has been offered for information.

Danelo Cavalcante before his escape. Pic: Chester County District Attorney
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Danelo Cavalcante before his escape. Pic: Chester County District Attorney

This image provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows Danelo Cavalcante. The escaped murderer on the run for more than a week in southeast Pennsylvania has been spotted with what police called ...a changed appearance.... Pennsylvania State Police said in a statement on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 that Danelo Souza Cavalcante was seen overnight near Phoenixville in northern Chester County. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)
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Danelo Cavalcante has been on the run for more than a week. Pic: Pennsylvania State Police

Mr Bivens said the escapee went to the homes of two people he used to work with, but neither were in.

He was seen on a doorbell camera and the homeowner raised the alarm, according to the police.

Pictures released show he has changed his appearance since he was spotted twice the day before.

Calvalcante used to have a beard. Pic: US Marshals Service Philadelphia
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Calvalcante used to have a beard. Pic: US Marshals Service Philadelphia

He has shaved off his beard and is “clean shaven and last seen wearing a yellow or green hooded sweatshirt, black baseball style hat, green prison trousers, and white shoes,” police said.

Cavalcante was also driving a white 2020 Ford Transit van with a refrigeration unit on the top and a damaged left bumper.

The van was found abandoned in a field behind a barn on Sunday morning, according to Pennsylvania State Police, and a search has been launched for him in the area.

Police believe Cavalcante is using a stolen van. Pic: US Marshals Service Philadelphia
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Police say Cavalcante was seen in a wite van. Pic: US Marshals Service Philadelphia

Police have been warning residents in the area to stay alert and secure their property as they believe Cavalcante may steal another vehicle.