A view of Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where Super Bowl festivities took place. Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano was found dead in his hotel room during Super Bowl week, prompting an ongoing investigation. ((Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS - Authorities are investigating the death of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano, who was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, during Super Bowl week.
A police detective testified in court this week that a sedative drug was found in his system, raising further questions about the circumstances of his death.
Manzano, a 27-year-old anchor and reporter for Telemundo in Kansas City, Missouri, was covering Super Bowl events when he was discovered dead on Feb. 5.
The suspect and the allegations
The backstory:
Police have arrested Danette Colbert, 48, who is accused of stealing Manzano’s phone and financial cards. Authorities say surveillance footage shows Colbert and Manzano entering his hotel room around 5 a.m. the day of his death. She was later seen leaving alone.
According to Kenner Police Deputy Chief Mark McCormick, Colbert is being held without bond and has been deemed a flight risk due to her criminal history.
"We believe that that will help prevent any further victimization for the public," McCormick told The Associated Press.
Colbert’s attorney, Stavros Panagoulopoulos, has denied the allegations, arguing that authorities are making assumptions about her involvement.
"We’re looking forward to our day in court to present all the evidence as necessary," Panagoulopoulos told AP. "Assumptions and guesses are not enough to maintain criminal prosecution, and we look forward to providing further information as this case moves forward."
What police say about the toxicology report
What they're saying:
During a court hearing on Tuesday, Kenner Police Detective Jeffrey Fitzmorris testified that a preliminary toxicology report detected benzodiazepine, a depressant commonly sold as Xanax, in Manzano’s system, Nola.com reported.
Authorities say Manzano did not have a prescription for the drug, and it is often used in crimes to induce amnesia and facilitate theft.
Police say they also recovered Xanax from Colbert’s residence.
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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that overdoses of benzodiazepines can lead to "extreme drowsiness" and "possible death."
Colbert’s criminal history
Dig deeper:
Police say Colbert used Manzano’s credit card after his death to make purchases at a gas station and multiple stores in the New Orleans area.
Danette Colbert, 48, is accused of stealing Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano’s phone and financial cards after being seen entering his hotel room. She is being held without bond as authorities investigate his death. (Kenner Police)
Colbert has a history of similar crimes, according to law enforcement:
- In 2022, she was twice arrested in Las Vegas on charges of grand larceny and administering a drug to aid a felony crime, according to court records.
- In both cases, she was accused of drugging men in hotel rooms and stealing from them. However, the charges were dismissed because the victims did not want to testify, her former attorney Daniel Lippmann told AP.
- In 2023, a Louisiana jury convicted her of theft and fraud in an unrelated case.
What's next:
Colbert is facing multiple felony charges related to theft and fraud, but police say she could face upgraded charges once a final autopsy and toxicology report is completed in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Manzano’s death remains under investigation, and authorities have not ruled out additional charges.
The Source: This report includes information from The Associated Press, Nola.com and previous FOX coverage. This story was reported from Los Angeles.