The sports media community was shocked to learn that Adan Manzano, 27, a sports anchor and reporter for Telemundo 39 in Kansas City, passed away on Wednesday while on assignment in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. Details surrounding his death were initially scarce, but we received updates about the investigation into Manzano’s death on Friday, revealing that local police had arrested a suspect.
The Kenner Police Department announced on Friday the arrest of 48-year-old Danette Colbert, who has been charged with property crimes including fraud and theft-related offenses. Colbert and Manzano were captured together on security cameras at his hotel early Wednesday morning, with footage later showing her leaving his hotel room alone shortly after. Furthermore, police learned that Colbert had used a credit card belonging to Manzano at various stores in and around New Orleans. Notably, Colbert has a criminal history that includes allegations of drugging men, theft of currency, and fraudulent use of credit and debit cards, as stated by Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
Tragically, Manzano was found dead in his hotel room approximately 12 hours after Colbert’s departure, following a wellness check by hotel staff. The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office is currently conducting tests to ascertain whether Manzano was drugged. Adding to the sorrow, this incident occurred just 10 months after Manzano’s wife died in a car crash while driving their one-year-old daughter, who fortunately survived.
Manzano was a graduate of Kansas State University and had also worked for La Semana del Sur, Reyes Media Group, and Sky Sports Mexico before joining Telemundo 39 in 2021.
