Tragic Death of Telemundo Reporter Adan Manzano During Super Bowl Coverage
The sports world was left in shock after the sudden and tragic death of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old rising star in sports journalism, who was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, on February 5, 2023. Manzano had traveled to New Orleans to cover the highly anticipated Super Bowl, but his assignment ended in devastating circumstances. His death has sparked a criminal investigation, uncovering details that paint a chilling picture of what may have transpired in the final hours of his life.
Toxicology Report Reveals Presence of Xanax
According to preliminary toxicology reports, Manzano’s system contained traces of alprazolam, commonly known by the brand name Xanax, at the time of his death. This revelation was made public during a bond hearing for Danette Colbert, a suspect linked to Manzano’s death. While the full toxicology report has not yet been released, the presence of Xanax suggests that Manzano may have ingested the drug, potentially as part of a broader sequence of events that led to his tragic passing. Authorities are working to determine whether the Xanax was self-administered or if it was slipped to him without his knowledge.
Investigation Uncovers Suspect with Troubling History
The Kenner Police Department identified Danette Colbert, a 45-year-old woman with a criminal history, as a key suspect in Manzano’s death. Colbert, who has gained notoriety on social media as the “Bourbon Street Hustler,” was arrested two days after Manzano’s body was discovered. She has been charged with multiple offenses, including robbery, fraud, and fugitive charges, with authorities alleging that she drugged Manzano, stole his credit cards, and left him in his hotel room. Surveillance footage from the Comfort Suites hotel, where Manzano was staying, shows Colbert entering his room with him in the early hours of February 5. She was the last person seen with him before his death.
Surveillance Footage and Credit Card Trail Lead to Colbert
The investigation into Manzano’s death has relied heavily on surveillance footage and financial records. After Manzano’s body was found, detectives discovered that one of his credit cards was missing. By tracking the card’s usage, they identified Colbert as a person of interest. Further evidence, including video footage, implicated Colbert in the events leading up to Manzano’s death. Police believe that Colbert targeted Manzano in the French Quarter, where the two met, and accompanied him back to his hotel in Kenner. After entering his room, Colbert was seen leaving the hotel, and Manzano was never seen alive again.
Colbert’s Alleged Crimes Extend Beyond Manzano’s Death
Danette Colbert’s alleged crimes stretch far beyond the tragic incident involving Adan Manzano. Authorities suspect that she may be connected to another man’s death in New Orleans in December 2022, as well as to multiple cases of drugging and robbery in both New Orleans and Las Vegas. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley has described Colbert as someone who preys on vulnerable individuals, often targeting men she gains the trust of. “They become incapacitated by some manner, at which time they lose all their money, their property,” Conley explained. “By the time they wake up or come to regain consciousness, they are out of a lot of money. Their credit cards have been used at various places, and they find themselves in an awful fix.”
Remembering Adan Manzano and the Broader Implications
Adan Manzano’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the sports journalism community and beyond. Telemundo 39, where Manzano worked, remembered him as “a true professional and a rising star who exemplified excellence in his work.” His colleagues and fans have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a talented young reporter who was known for his passion for sports and his contributions to the local community. As the investigation into his death continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about Colbert’s activities to come forward. The case has also raised awareness about the dangers of drugging and theft schemes targeting unsuspecting victims, particularly in crowded and tourist-heavy areas like the French Quarter during major events like the Super Bowl. Adan Manzano’s legacy will live on through the stories he told and the lives he touched, but his tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the risks and vulnerabilities that exist in the shadows of even the most celebrated events.
