KENNER, La. — A Louisiana woman has been arrested in connection to the death of a Kansas City reporter-sports anchor for a Telemundo affiliate who was in New Orleans to cover Super Bowl LIX, authorities said.
Telemundo Kansas City announced on Thursday that Adan Manzano, 27, died in the New Orleans area. He was on assignment to cover Sunday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Manzano, 27, was found unresponsive in his Kenner hotel room, WVUE reported. He was covering the Super Bowl for Telemundo and Tico Sports, a multimedia production company that broadcasts Chiefs games in Spanish, The Kansas City Star reported. His death comes less than a year after the death of his wife, Ashleigh Boyd, who was a teacher for the Topeka Public Schools District. Boyd died in a car crash, CBS News reported.
On Friday, police in Kenner announced they arrested Danette Colbert, 48, of Slidell. She was detained after an investigation revealed that Colbert was allegedly using Manzano’s credit cards at multiple stores in the New Orleans area, according to WGNO.
Sporting Kansas City mourns the passing of Adan Manzano. Adan covered Sporting KC and all sports in Kansas City with class and passion for the past five years. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at Telemundo KC at this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/QojuTOw3DW
— Sporting KC Communications (@SportingKC_PR) February 6, 2025
Investigators said they reviewed security footage showing Colbert with Manzano on Wednesday morning, WVUE reported. Colbert was later seen leaving Manzano’s hotel room later that day, according to the television station. Police said that Manzano was found dead in his hotel room on Wednesday afternoon, NOLA.com reported. His cause of death has not yet been determined. The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office is awaiting the results of further testing.
Currently, Colbert is only facing fraud and theft charges, Kenner police Deputy Chief Mark McCormick told NOLA.com. Police said that Colbert has an arrest record that includes prior arrests related to being accused of drugging men, stealing cash, fraudulent use of credit and debit cards, and other financial-related crimes, WVUE reported.
Police said a search of Colbert’s home in Slidell led to the discovery of Manzano’s credit card and cell phones along with narcotics and a stolen firearm, according to WGNO. She was taken into custody at about 10:30 p.m. CT on Thursday in New Orleans, NOLA.com reported.
The investigation into Colbert’s current charges remains ongoing, Sports Illustrated reported.
In a statement, Telemundo Kansas City general manager Steve Downing said Manzano was a “true professional and a rising star who exemplified excellence in his work.”
Manzano and his late wife are survived by their toddler daughter, the Star reported.
“We will deeply miss Adan and his passion for sports, and the contributions he made to the local community,” Downing said.
Tico Sports president CiCi Rojas called Manzano an “enthusiastic and energetic team player who was well-liked and respected,” the Star reported.
“Adan was a devoted father to his young daughter, a helpful colleague, and loyal friend,” Rojas said. “He will be greatly missed by our TICO Family and will live on in our hearts and memories.”
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