New Orleans woman charged with murder after Super Bowl reporter was found dead in hotel

KENNER, La. (TCN) — Police announced a murder charge against a woman they allege drugged and robbed a reporter from Kansas City who was in town for the Super Bowl in February.

Adan Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel room on Feb. 5 after he was seen walking in with the suspect, Danette Colbert. Manzano’s phone and credit card were missing from the room but were reportedly later found at Colbert’s home. Police called Colbert a “career criminal” who has allegedly committed similar crimes on other victims. She was arrested at the time for property crimes, including robbery and bank fraud.

At a press conference on Tuesday, March 18, Jefferson Parish Coroner Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich shared that Manzano died from the combined toxic effects of alcohol and Xanax, along with positional asphyxia from lying face-down in a pillow. His manner of death remains undetermined. According to Cvitanovich, Manzano’s blood alcohol level was 0.232, nearly four times the legal limit. He also had “not an insignificant amount” of Xanax in his system.

Cvitanovich explained that while Manzano’s Xanax level was not as high as some overdose cases, the lethal amount “goes way down” when the anti-anxiety drug is combined with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants. Even though most overdose cases are ruled accidental, Cvitanovich said he and his office said Manzano’s manner of death was undetermined because of the “uncertain circumstances of this case.”

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley also spoke at the press conference and announced the arrest of Colbert’s alleged accomplice, Rickey White. He was located in Hollywood, Florida, and has been charged with the same property crimes as Colbert. Police obtained a warrant to arrest Colbert on a charge of second-degree murder, so she was rebooked into the Jefferson Parish Jail on that charge.

“We don’t want her to see the light of day again,” Conley said.

Watch the “True Crime News” video below to learn more about Manzano’s case.