Adan Manzano, the sports reporter who was found dead in his Louisiana hotel room days before the Super Bowl, had Xanax in his system at the time of his death.
Citing a preliminary toxicology report, Kenner, La., police Det. Jeffrey Fitzmorris made the revelation while testifying at a bond hearing for Danette Colbert, who is charged with fraud and financial crimes, according to KCTV, WLOX and the Times-Picayune.
Manzano, who worked for Telemundo Kansas City, was found dead inside his hotel room in Kenner on Wednesday, Feb. 3. He had been in town to cover Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
A day after his death, police arrested Colbert, who is accused of using Manzano’s credit cards. She is charged with fraud and other financial crimes, though she hasn’t been charged specifically in relation to Manzano’s death. The outlets report that she has been denied bond.
Fitzmorris said Manzano was not prescribed Xanax prior to his death and noted that it was unclear how or when he ingested the drug, WLOX reported.
Kenner police Chief Keith Conley said at a press conference that when Manzano’s body was found, it was discovered that his credit card and phone were missing. Upon reviewing security footage, Conley says Manzano was seen entering his room with Colbert at around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday before she was allegedly seen leaving the room alone later that morning.
Adan Manzano; Danette Colbert.
Telemundo Kansas City/Facebook; Kenner Police
Upon searching Colbert’s home, Conley alleges that police found Manzano’s phone and credit card. Colbert was subsequently arrested in New Orleans, police said.
While Colbert was not previously known to Kenner police, Conley claims New Orleans investigators were familiar with her.
“She was found quite frequently in the French Quarter,” Colbert says. “And she’s known for these fraud schemes.”
Colbert’s lengthy rap sheet includes previous accusations of drugging and stealing from men in multiple jurisdictions.
After a man accused her of such in New Orleans in 2014, Colbert pleaded guilty to burglary charges, per Louisiana court records; she got probation.
Two men accused her of similar actions in separate 2022 incidents in Las Vegas, though the charges were dismissed in each case.
Manzano, a sports reporter and anchor, was the father of a toddler. WIBW reported that his wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd, was killed in a car crash last year.
“Adan was an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work,” Telemundo KC said in a statement. “We will deeply miss Adan, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community.”
