NEW ORLEANS — The tragic death of a television journalist in New Orleans, where he was covering the Super Bowl, is currently under investigation by law enforcement. A woman has been arrested in connection with the case for allegedly using the reporter’s credit card.
Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old anchor and reporter for Telemundo based in Kansas City, Missouri, was discovered dead in his hotel room in Kenner, a suburb located just outside New Orleans, on Wednesday.
On Thursday evening, the police apprehended Danette Colbert, a 49-year-old resident of Louisiana. Colbert is facing multiple charges, including four felonies and a misdemeanor tied to fraud and theft, as confirmed by Kenner Police Deputy Chief Mark McCormick. Additionally, she is being charged with a state felony for possessing a stolen firearm, although authorities have indicated that this charge does not appear to be linked to Manzano’s death, as stated by Lt. Suzanne Carboni from the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office.
Security footage reportedly shows Colbert arriving at Manzano’s hotel room shortly after 5 a.m. on the day he died and leaving about an hour later without him, according to police. Following this, she allegedly used Manzano’s credit card at several nearby locations, and investigators later discovered both the credit card and Manzano’s cellphone at Colbert’s home in Slidell, which lies northeast of New Orleans.
Further details from the investigation revealed the presence of narcotics at Colbert’s residence. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley noted during a press briefing on Friday that they believe Colbert acted independently in these actions. He characterized her as a “career criminal” with a history of committing fraud schemes that had led to previous interactions with New Orleans police.
“This incident serves as a reminder for everyone to be aware of their surroundings,” Conley emphasized. “There are individuals who target others, gaining their trust only to exploit them.”
Attempts to reach Colbert via a phone number linked to her address were unsuccessful, as the number had been disconnected. Additionally, an email sent to her associated address went unanswered.
The authorities are still waiting for the comprehensive autopsy results to determine the nature of Manzano’s death. According to Kenner Police Chief Conley, a thorough toxicology screening is being conducted, with results expected to take several weeks. Notably, no signs of obvious physical trauma were observed on Manzano’s body.
Steve Downing, the General Manager of Telemundo Kansas City, expressed deep sorrow over Manzano’s passing, praising him as a “rising star” and a dedicated professional. Described as a bilingual anchor with a passion for sports, Manzano had a track record of covering significant events, including the Kansas City Chiefs’ last two Super Bowl victories, with hopes for a third consecutive championship.
“He always had a smile and was genuinely passionate about the work he did,” Downing remarked, highlighting Manzano’s commitment to delivering top-notch sports news to his local audience.
Originally from Mexico City, Manzano moved to Kansas later in life, according to an NBC affiliate report. He is survived by a two-year-old daughter, whom he had been caring for alone with familial support following the untimely death of his wife in a car accident last year.
