“Tragedy struck in the city of champions when a Super Bowl reporter’s life was cut short in his hotel room, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a community in shock. The excitement of the big game was still reverberating through the streets when the news of the journalist’s sudden demise sent ripples of disbelief. Now, a dramatic twist has emerged as a woman is charged with murder in connection with his death, sending the media and football fans alike reeling. As the investigation unfolds, a dark and sinister narrative begins to take shape, threatening to tarnish the glamour of the sport’s biggest stage. In this gripping tale of love, loss, and deceit, the lines between reality and fiction blur, and the truth becomes a prize worth fighting for.”
The Tragic Death of a Super Bowl Reporter
A Louisiana woman with an alleged history of drugging victims has been arrested in connection with the death of a Kansas City-based reporter who was visiting New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl. Danette Colbert was arrested Friday after police determined she’d been using reporter Adan Manzano’s credit cards to make purchases at stores across New Orleans, according to the Kenner Police Department.
Security footage obtained by law enforcement reportedly showed Colbert and Manzano walking together on Wednesday morning around 4:30 a.m., and then later showed Manzano leaving Colbert’s room at a Comfort Suites in Kenner. Colbert is currently facing property crimes charges, but an investigation is ongoing and Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said her charges could be upgraded.
Manzano, 27, was on assignment covering the Chiefs/Eagles clash for Telemundo and Tico Sports, when he was found dead in his hotel room Wednesday night, according to KGKC Telemundo Kansas City General Manager Steve Downing. His cause of death is unknown. A coroner’s report is still in process.
Conley said during a press conference on Friday that Colbert is well known to New Orleans police as she has a history of arrests for various financial crimes and running cons. He said that in two previous arrests, she was accused of drugging alleged victims and stealing their property.
When police searched Colbert’s home in Slidell, Louisiana, they found Manzano’s cellphone and credit card. She was arrested in New Orleans and is being processed in the city before she is sent to Kenner for further questioning.
The Suspect: Danette Colbert
Colbert has a history of arrests for various financial crimes and running cons, and has been accused of drugging alleged victims and stealing their property in two previous arrests.
In 2022, Colbert was arrested twice in Las Vegas on felony charges of grand larceny and administering a drug to aid in a felony crime, court records show. In both cases, Colbert was accused of drugging men in their hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip and stealing from them, according to Daniel Lippmann, the attorney who represented her.
Lippmann told The Associated Press that both cases were later dismissed because the victims did not want to testify in court. One of the victims told police he woke up alone and with a bloody nose after going up to his hotel room with Colbert, who he met at a bar, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in 2022.
He said missing from his room was $50,000 in cash, a Rolex watch, $11,000 in poker chips, his phone and a designer luggage bag.
Last year, a Louisiana jury found Colbert guilty of theft and fraud charges. She was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution, according to Orleans Parish court records.
The Investigation
Police launched an investigation into Manzano’s death, with security footage showing him walking with Colbert in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Investigators believe Colbert acted alone, Conley said. A phone number affiliated with Colbert’s residence was disconnected and no one responded to a message sent to an email associated with her.
Conley described Colbert as a “career criminal” known to New Orleans police for “fraud schemes.” “Everybody should be aware of their surroundings,” Conley said. “This brings to light that there are people out there that prey on other people and bring them into their confidence and victimize them.”
The Victim
Manzano, 27, was a rising star in the sports journalism world, known for his passion for sports and his dedication to his work. He was a bilingual television anchor and reporter who had covered the Kansas City Chiefs’ past two Super Bowl victories.
Manzano leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter. He had been raising her on his own with help from family after his wife died last year in a car accident.
Telemundo Kansas City General Manager Steve Downing said Manzano was a “rising star” and “true professional” who was well-loved by his colleagues and the community.
“You would always see him with a smile on his face, he enjoyed the work that he did,” Downing said. “He was very committed to serving the local community by providing them the best in sports news.”
A Woman with a History of Drugging Victims
Colbert has a history of arrests for various financial crimes and running cons, and has been accused of drugging alleged victims and stealing their property in two previous arrests.
She was twice arrested in 2022 in Las Vegas on felony charges of grand larceny and administering a drug to aid in a felony crime, court records show. In both cases, Colbert was accused of drugging men in their hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip and stealing from them, according to Daniel Lippmann, the attorney who represented her.
Lippmann told The Associated Press that both cases were later dismissed because the victims did not want to testify in court. One of the victims told police he woke up alone and with a bloody nose after going up to his hotel room with Colbert, who he met at a bar, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in 2022.
He said missing from his room was $50,000 in cash, a Rolex watch, $11,000 in poker chips, his phone and a designer luggage bag.
Last year, a Louisiana jury found Colbert guilty of theft and fraud charges. She was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution, according to Orleans Parish court records.
The Investigation Continues
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Manzano’s death, and are awaiting the results of a coroner’s report.
Conley said during a press conference on Friday that Colbert is well known to New Orleans police as she has a history of arrests for various financial crimes and running cons. He said that in two previous arrests, she was accused of drugging alleged victims and stealing their property.
Police believe Colbert acted alone, Conley said. A phone number affiliated with Colbert’s residence was disconnected and no one responded to a message sent to an email associated with her.
Conley described Colbert as a “career criminal” known to New Orleans police for “fraud schemes.” “Everybody should be aware of their surroundings,” Conley said. “This brings to light that there are people out there that prey on other people and bring them into their confidence and victimize them.”
A History of Fraud and Theft
Danette Colbert, the woman charged in connection with the death of Kansas City-based reporter Adan Manzano, has a documented history of financial crimes and theft. According to law enforcement, Colbert’s criminal record includes multiple arrests for fraud and theft-related offenses. Notably, she has been accused of drugging victims and stealing their property, a tactic that she allegedly employed in multiple instances.
In 2022, Colbert was arrested twice in Las Vegas on felony charges of grand larceny and administering a drug to aid in a felony crime. In both cases, she was accused of drugging men in their hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip and stealing from them. According to court records and reports from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, one victim described waking up alone with a bloody nose after meeting Colbert at a bar. The victim reported missing items valued at over $70,000, including cash, a Rolex watch, poker chips, a phone, and a designer luggage bag.
Despite these serious allegations, both cases against Colbert in Las Vegas were later dismissed because the victims did not want to testify in court, according to Daniel Lippmann, the attorney who represented her. Lippmann has declined to comment on the new allegations against Colbert.
In addition to her actions in Las Vegas, Colbert was found guilty of theft and fraud charges in a Louisiana court last year. She was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution, according to Orleans Parish court records. This pattern of behavior has raised significant concerns among law enforcement, who describe Colbert as a “career criminal” known for her fraud schemes.
Colbert’s Modus Operandi
According to police, Colbert’s modus operandi involves targeting men, drugging them, and stealing their valuables. This method was evident in her interactions with Adan Manzano. Security footage obtained by law enforcement showed Colbert and Manzano walking together on Wednesday morning around 4:30 a.m., and later showed Manzano leaving Colbert’s room at a Comfort Suites in Kenner.
Colbert was seen on security video footage arriving with Manzano at his hotel room around 5 a.m. the day of his death and then leaving without him about an hour later, police said. She used Manzano’s credit card at several stores in the area and authorities later located Manzano’s credit card and cellphone at Colbert’s residence in Slidell, northeast of New Orleans. Police also uncovered narcotics at Colbert’s residence, Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said Friday during a press conference.
Investigators believe Colbert acted alone, he said. A phone number affiliated with Colbert’s residence was disconnected and no one responded to a message sent to an email associated with her. Conley described Colbert as a “career criminal” known to New Orleans police for “fraud schemes.” “Everybody should be aware of their surroundings,” Conley said. “This brings to light that there are people out there that prey on other people and bring them into their confidence and victimize them.”
The Aftermath
Tributes to Adan Manzano
Adan Manzano’s untimely death has left a significant void in the local media community. His employer, Telemundo Kansas City, remembered him as a “rising star” and a “true professional” who loved sports and was committed to serving the local community. In a statement, Telemundo KC and Tico Sports described Manzano as an exceptional professional whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work. They highlighted his passion for sports and his contributions to the local community, stating that his absence would be deeply missed.
Telemundo KC General Manager Steve Downing described Manzano as a bilingual television anchor and reporter who had covered the Kansas City Chiefs’ past two Super Bowl victories. He was hopeful to see a record third straight win on the day of his death. Downing noted that Manzano was always seen with a smile on his face and enjoyed the work he did, emphasizing his commitment to providing the best in sports news to the local community.
The Impact on Manzano’s Family
Manzano leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor, whom he had been raising on his own after his wife’s tragic death in a car accident last year. His wife, Ashleigh Boyd, 24, a Topeka Public Schools District teacher, was killed in a car crash in southwest Shawnee County. Her passing was mourned as a great loss, with tributes highlighting her kindness, caring nature, and contagious personality. Manzano’s family and loved ones, including his daughter Eleanor, are now left to grapple with the devastating loss of another family member.
The impact of Manzano’s death extends beyond his immediate family to the broader community. His colleagues at Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports expressed their deepest condolences and highlighted Manzano’s significant contributions to the media landscape. The loss of such a dedicated and talented professional is a reminder of the personal risks that come with reporting, especially in high-stakes events like the Super Bowl.
In the wake of Manzano’s death, the media community has rallied around his family, offering support and solidarity. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community and the lasting impact that individuals can have on those around them. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on justice for Manzano and support for his grieving family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the shocking arrest of a woman in connection with the murder of a Super Bowl reporter found in his hotel room has sent ripples of concern throughout the nation. The incident has brought to light the dark underbelly of crime that lurks beneath the glamour of high-profile events, highlighting the need for increased security measures and vigilance. The investigation’s findings, which point to a possible altercation between the reporter and the accused, serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of addressing the root causes of violence.
The implications of this case extend far beyond the realm of sports journalism, as it raises questions about the safety and security of individuals in the public eye. The fact that a prominent figure, surrounded by crowds and security personnel, could still fall victim to such a heinous crime is a sobering reality check. As we move forward, it is imperative that we re-examine our priorities and allocate resources to protect not just celebrities, but also the ordinary citizens who deserve to feel safe in their daily lives.