A 45-year-old woman known as the "Bourbon Street Hustler" was involved in the mysterious death of a young Telemundo sports reporter during Super Bowl week in New Orleans.
According to Fox News, Louisiana police have charged Danette Colbert with second-degree murder in connection with the February 5 death of 27-year-old Adan Manzano, who was found dead in his hotel room with a combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system.
The announcement came during a Tuesday press conference where authorities also revealed the arrest of Colbert's alleged accomplice, Ricky White, in Florida. The investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting Colbert, who has a history of drugging and robbing men in New Orleans and Las Vegas, may be connected to another death case from December.
Kenner Police Department Chief Keith Conley emphasized the severity of Colbert's actions during the press conference. Her criminal pattern typically involved gaining men's trust before incapacitating them and stealing their belongings. Many victims have remained silent due to the sensitive nature of these crimes.
Surveillance footage from the Comfort Suites hotel in Kenner showed Colbert and Manzano entering his room around 4:30 a.m. on February 5. She was seen leaving the room multiple times, including one instance where she went to a store before returning. The footage confirmed she was the last person to see Manzano alive.
Police discovered one of Manzano's credit cards was missing while processing the crime scene. Through tracking the card's usage, authorities were able to identify and locate Colbert, leading to her initial arrest on multiple charges including fraud and robbery.
The autopsy results showed Manzano died from the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol. His body was discovered face-down in a pillow, with investigators noting unusual circumstances surrounding his death, including the absence of lividity around his nose and mouth.
Chief Conley expressed determination in seeking justice, stating during the press conference: "We don't want Ms. Colbert to see the light of day again."
During a search of Colbert's residence, authorities found a stolen gun and narcotics, though the weapon appeared unrelated to Manzano's death. The investigation continues to develop, with the possibility of additional charges being filed against Colbert.
Manzano, a Kansas City-based reporter, had traveled to New Orleans on assignment to cover the Super Bowl for Telemundo. His employer remembered him fondly, with Telemundo 39 stating:
We will deeply miss Adan and his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community. He was a true professional and a rising star who exemplified excellence in his work.
The collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Marshals and Hollywood police, led to the arrest of Ricky White in Florida. He now faces various charges including simple robbery and multiple counts of fraud.
Danette Colbert and Ricky White's arrests mark significant progress in solving the circumstances surrounding Adan Manzano's death. The young reporter's body was discovered in a Kenner hotel during what should have been a routine Super Bowl coverage assignment.
Police are continuing their investigation into Colbert's potential connection to a December death in New Orleans, working closely with the New Orleans Police Department, state police, and the attorney general's office to gather additional evidence and build a comprehensive case.
