Cause of Death for Chiefs Reporter Adan Manzano Revealed, as Authorities Say Accused Murderer Had Accomplice

The 48-year-old Louisiana woman charged today with second-degree murder in the death of Kansa City sports reporter Adan Manzano had an accomplice, who is also facing charges, police in Louisiana said on Tuesday, March 18.

The alleged accomplice of Danette Colbert, 48, is Ricky White, who was a “transient,” Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley stated at the press conference. He was charged with simple robbery and various fraud charges. Colbert and White were allegedly “working hand in hand on this,” Conley said.

White was found in Hollywood, Fla., on Friday, and was subsequently taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, Hollywood police, and the Secret Service. He’s currently in custody in Broward County.

Manzano died as the result of the combined toxic effects of Xanax with alcohol, along with positional asphyxia, coroner Dr. Jerry Satanovich said at the conference (Manzano was found face-down in a pillow). “When you add them up, they’re really bad,” Satanovich noted.

Manzano’s alcohol level was .232 at the time of his death — almost 3 times the legal limit. The reporter’s manner of death, however, remains undermined, Satanovich said, noting that such a conclusion doesn’t preclude authorities from bringing murder charges against Colbert.

Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel room on Feb. 5. Colbert, 48, was originally charged with fraud and theft after she was caught using Manzano’s credit card the day after his death. She also had his cell phone on her.

She was seen on surveillance footage arriving at Manzano’s hotel with him on the night of his death, then leaving alone an hour later, KHOU reports. Now she’s also been charged with second-degree murder, police said at the conference.

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Manzano did not have a prescription for Xanax, per 4WWL. But during a search of Colbert’s apartment, police allegedly found a similar drug, NOLA.com reports. 

Colbert had prior run-ins with the law in New Orleans. She was accused on more than one occasion of drugging men and stealing from them.

Manzano, a resident of Topeka, Kan., signed on as a sideline reporter with the Chiefs TV crew at the beginning of the 2024 season.

He worked for Telemundo KC and Tico Sports from Kansas City, and was in Louisiana to cover this year’s Super Bowl. He was the father of a toddler daughter.

“Adan was an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work,” Telemundo KC said of their former colleague. “We will deeply miss Adan, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community.”