An arrest has been made in connection with the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was in New Orleans to cover Super Bowl LIX when he was found dead in his hotel room.
Manzano, 27, was discovered unresponsive Wednesday afternoon at the Comfort Inn & Suites New Orleans Airport North in Kenner, Louisiana, after he failed to show up for a work-related meeting, per The Guardian.
On Thursday, the Kenner Police Department announced the arrest of Danette Colbert, 48, of Slidell, Louisiana, after she was allegedly caught using Manzano’s credit card at multiple stores.
Surveillance Footage Leads to Arrest
Authorities say hotel surveillance footage showed Colbert with Manzano on the morning of February 5 before she was later seen leaving his room alone, Yahoo Sports reports.
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley confirmed on Friday that investigators tracked Manzano’s cellphone, which was found pinging about a tenth of a mile from Colbert’s known address in Slidell, located roughly 40 miles northeast of New Orleans.
Colbert was taken into custody Thursday night on fraud and theft charges. A search of her home led police to Manzano’s credit card and cellphone, along with Xanax and a stolen firearm, though Conley emphasized that authorities "do not believe the firearm is related to this case".
The coroner’s office reported that there were “no obvious signs of trauma” on Manzano’s body, and the cause of death remains under investigation.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges against Colbert.
Colbert’s Criminal History Raises Questions
Police say Colbert has a history of financial crimes, including previous allegations of drugging men, stealing their money, and using fraudulent credit cards. At least one of those cases was in Nevada.
Louisiana criminal records show she pleaded guilty in 2019 to fraudulently using a credit card that a man reported missing after visiting a New Orleans strip club. She was sentenced to five years of probation.
Asked whether Colbert may have drugged Manzano before his death, Conley said investigators are looking into whether “criminal activity such as that” occurred.
Remembering Adan Manzano
Manzano was a rising star in sports journalism. A native of Mexico City, he moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 2018 and graduated from Kansas State before joining Telemundo Kansas City in 2021.
He was preparing to cover his third Super Bowl with the network and was also working as a Spanish-language broadcaster for Tico Sports.
His employer, Telemundo Kansas City, praised his work ethic and impact on the community.
"We are saddened to share that Adan Manzano passed away yesterday in New Orleans, while on assignment to cover the Super Bowl for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports," the statement read. "We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this tragic event.
"As KGKC's Sports Anchor & Reporter, Adan was a true professional and a rising star, who exemplified excellence in his work. We will deeply miss Adan and his passion for sports, and the contributions he made to the local community.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Tico Sports echoed similar sentiments, remembering Manzano as a talented, well-respected broadcaster.
“Adan was a talented and professional broadcaster, providing sideline coverage for the Kansas City Chiefs Spanish broadcast and play-by-play caller for the KC Current,” the company said in a statement. “He was an enthusiastic and energetic team player who was well liked and respected. Adan was a devoted father to his young daughter, a helpful colleague, and loyal friend. He will be greatly missed by our Tico family and will live on in our hearts and memories.”
Manzano is survived by his two-year-old daughter, Eleanor.
Tragically, his wife, Ashleigh, was killed in a car crash last April.
Telemundo Kansas City general manager Steve Downing said the station plans to honor Manzano in its upcoming broadcasts.
“We’re a small operation,” Downing told WWL Louisiana. “So we will be missing a family member.”
Our thoughts go out to Manzano's family and loved ones at this time.