Authorities in Louisiana have filed murder charges against a second individual in connection to the fatality of a Kansas City Telemundo reporter, Adan Manzano, who had traveled to New Orleans for Super Bowl coverage. Manzano, aged 27, was discovered deceased in a hotel room in Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans, on February 5. Initially, a woman filmed by security cameras exiting Manzano’s room was charged with second-degree murder and theft of his credit cards and cellphone.
On Monday, Kenner police revealed that 34-year-old Rickey White, identified as the woman’s accomplice, faces second-degree murder charges as well. White was initially detained in Florida in March facing robbery and fraud accusations related to the case before being transported to Louisiana. The murder charge, according to a police news release, stems from “continued investigative efforts,” though additional details were not provided by officials.
In March, Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley explained at a news briefing that investigators had found a link between White and Danette Colbert, the first suspect charged. “Correspondence and information” indicated the two were “working hand-in-hand,” stated Conley. White’s attorney, Kevin Boshea, expressed his surprise, stating he was not preemptively informed about the murder charge.
Boshea questioned the legitimacy of the charges against his client, claiming that police failed to produce evidence during the previous month’s preliminary hearing that would demonstrate White was present in New Orleans at the time of Manzano’s death. Meanwhile, Colbert’s lawyer insisted that the authorities were “making assumptions and guesses” in attempting to implicate her in Manzano’s death.
Louisiana statutes permit second-degree murder charges against those distributing drugs that prove fatal or committing certain offenses, such as robbery, that result in a death. Manzano’s autopsy disclosed he died of asphyxiation after combining alcohol with Xanax; however, his medical records showed no prescriptions for Xanax or similar depressants. Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich reported these findings last March.
Security footage from the hotel documented Manzano entering his room with Colbert on the day of his demise, with Colbert leaving solo approximately an hour later. Subsequently, Colbert allegedly used Manzano’s credit card at a local gas station and several stores. Police have also reported discovering Xanax at Colbert’s residence.