‘Career criminal’ arrested amid investigation into Super Bowl reporter’s death

NEW ORLEANS (TCN) — A woman was arrested after a journalist who was in town to report on the Super Bowl was found dead in his hotel room last week.

Telemundo Kansas City confirmed 27-year-old Adan Manzano died Feb. 5 while on assignment for the news station and Tico Sports. Manzano worked as Telemundo Kansas City’s sports anchor and reporter and was described as a “a true professional and a rising star who exemplified excellence in his work.”

According to Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley, officers went to Manzano’s hotel room and learned that his cellphone and credit card, the same one he used to check into the hotel, were missing. Surveillance footage showed Manzano entering his hotel room with a woman at approximately 5 a.m. on Feb. 5. Investigators identified the woman as 48-year-old Danette Colbert, who Conley said has “quite the record and rap sheet” for multiple crimes, including robbery.

The woman later left the room, but Manzano was not seen again on video.

Colbert reportedly has drugged victims and stolen their cards in two previous instances. Police located her in New Orleans and arrested her as a fugitive as she awaits extradition to Kenner.

During that time, officials executed a search warrant at Colbert’s house in Slidell, where they found Manzano’s credit card and phone. They also discovered narcotics and a stolen gun, but Conley doesn’t believe the gun is related to Manzano’s death.

Colbert currently faces property crimes charges, though she could see additional ones. Conley did not reveal Manzano’s cause or manner of death.

ABC News reports the Kenner Police Department said in a news release that the department has been receiving several calls from people “claiming to be victims or reporting suspicious deaths under similar circumstances.”

According to CNN, Manzano’s wife died in a car accident in 2024. He leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter, who lives with his late wife’s family in Topeka, Kansas.

Conley said of Colbert, “She plays the confidence game. She is definitely a career criminal.”

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