Second Person Charged with Murder in Death of Super Bowl Reporter

The investigation into the death of Telemundo sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was found dead in his hotel room while covering the Super Bowl in New Orleans, has taken a significant turn with a second person now facing a second-degree murder charge. Rickey White, previously charged with simple robbery and fraud in connection with the case, is now accused of playing a direct role in Manzano’s death.

Manzano, a 27-year-old reporter based in Kansas City, Missouri, was in Kenner, Louisiana, on assignment for Telemundo when he was discovered deceased in his room at the Comfort Suites hotel in early February. Authorities initially attributed his death to the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol, noting that he was found face-down on a pillow with no visible signs of lividity around his nose and mouth. The presence of Xanax in his system raised immediate questions, prompting a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Two days after the discovery of Manzano’s body, police arrested Danette Colbert, a 45-year-old woman who had been dubbed the "Bourbon Street Hustler" on social media due to her history of fugitive, fraud, and robbery charges. Colbert was also charged with second-degree murder, suggesting a direct link between her actions and Manzano’s demise. The arrest of Rickey White soon followed, initially on charges of simple robbery and several counts of fraud, further deepening the mystery surrounding the reporter’s death.

The Kenner Police Department’s announcement that White now faces a second-degree murder charge represents a significant development in the case. While the police have not yet disclosed the specific reasons for the escalated charge, they have stated that it is a result of tireless efforts by detectives to uncover the full details surrounding the events leading up to Manzano’s tragic death. This suggests that new evidence or information has come to light, implicating White more directly in the reporter’s death than previously understood.

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley previously provided a detailed account of the events leading up to Manzano’s death, based on surveillance footage and other evidence. According to Conley, Manzano and Colbert met in the French Quarter in the early hours of the morning and returned to Manzano’s hotel room in Kenner around 4:30 a.m. on February 5th. Surveillance video from the hotel lobby confirmed that both Manzano and Colbert entered the room at that time.

The timeline of events becomes particularly crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding Manzano’s death. According to Chief Conley, Colbert left the room shortly after entering, made a quick trip to a store, and then returned. She then left the room again within 10 to 15 minutes and was the last person seen with Manzano. Manzano was never seen alive again on any surveillance footage after entering his hotel room with Colbert.

The discovery that one of Manzano’s credit cards was missing from his hotel room further fueled the investigation and led detectives to obtain a search warrant for his credit card history. This investigation ultimately connected Colbert to the missing credit card and further implicated her in the events leading up to Manzano’s death.

The investigation has also revealed a pattern of alleged criminal behavior by Colbert, with connections to several other drugging and robbery incidents in both New Orleans and Las Vegas. These allegations suggest that Colbert may have been involved in similar schemes targeting vulnerable individuals.

Perhaps most disturbingly, authorities are also investigating a potential connection between Colbert and another man’s death in New Orleans that occurred in December. Police Chief Conley stated that they suspect the investigation will reveal Colbert’s involvement in that death, although he emphasized the need for a thorough investigation before drawing any firm conclusions. The police are collaborating with the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Attorney General’s office to gather as much information as possible before making any definitive statements.

The investigation into Manzano’s death remains ongoing, with authorities meticulously piecing together the events leading up to his tragic demise. The addition of a second-degree murder charge against Rickey White indicates that the investigation is progressing and that detectives are uncovering new information that sheds light on the circumstances surrounding Manzano’s death.

The case has garnered significant attention due to Manzano’s profession as a sports reporter and the timing of his death, which occurred while he was covering the Super Bowl. The allegations against Colbert, including her alleged involvement in other drugging and robbery incidents, have added another layer of intrigue to the case.

The investigation is also raising important questions about the safety of individuals who travel to cities like New Orleans for major events and the potential risks they face. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness, particularly in unfamiliar environments.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release more information about the evidence that led to the second-degree murder charge against White. The case is likely to proceed through the legal system, with both Colbert and White facing the possibility of significant prison sentences if convicted of second-degree murder. The families and friends of Adan Manzano are undoubtedly seeking justice for his death and hoping that the investigation will ultimately reveal the full truth about what happened to him in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana. The legal proceedings may also uncover the truth of the other potential victims that may have fallen prey to Colbert’s alleged crimes.