Since people ask what’s going on- here you go. Easier to share this way.

I am exhausted, on edge, unable to concentrate. For seven days we have been in the middle of a live crime drama broadcast on national and international media, the manhunt for an escapee from the nearby Chester County correctional facility. Danelo Cavalcante was convicted the week before his escape for the murder of his girlfriend in front of her young children. He has a prior murder conviction in his native Brazil. Seven days of helicopters circling- sometimes overhead, sometimes just to the east or west. But rarely out of earshot.

Nights where the helicopters sound like they are about to land on the lawn, days where police and helicopters broadcast a recording from his mother begging him to surrender. Seven days of rapidly evolving search zones, roadblocks, and police perimeters. The police believed they had him contained within a two-mile perimeter, then he popped up on a trail camera on the property of Longwood Gardens which is outside of that.

Since the beginning we have been told to keep our doors locked, remain inside and be vigilant. We are currently in the search zone, the roads around us and into our neighborhood closed. In passing the barricade, the police check your car, on returning you need to show your ID. Kennett and Unionville Chadds Ford Schools and attractions like Longwood Gardens are closed. Thank heaven I don’t have young children!

When I said in the middle, we are literally there as you can see from the maps of search zones and active sightings. Now and then things quiet down and you relax a bit. Then the helicopters start circling and rumors pop up by text or email and it’s back. Back to the flight radar, twitter (X) or YouTube in search of some idea of what is happening and where. Typically, things are quiet during the day and things happen in the evening.  We get nothing of use from local authorities other than daily press conferences.

Do I feel unsafe? No, certainly not if we follow the advice of the authorities, which we do. He is working hard to stay out of sight and there are no instances of him engaging or threatening people. But everyone in the area will be relieved when he is captured. And I have a can of wasp spray handy!

Perhaps this is not a good thing, but I have discovered the world of true crime social media. Which has been the best, often only source of up-to-date information. Some of these folks broadcast live- collecting and sharing tips, police scanner info, maps, and local content. One of the best is Gisela K, whose YouTube channel, Grizzly True Crime has 225K followers. A South African broadcasting from the Netherlands, she makes the distinction between facts (what is verified) and speculation (things to take with a pinch of salt). And the marvelous Nik the Hat on twitter, who broadcasts live on location. And there are more! Thousands of people all over the world are watching it providing tips and commenting. Like me!

So far no signs of Keith Morrison!