Alleged Years-Long Drugging and Theft Scheme Led to Killing of Super Bowl Reporter Adan Manzano

Police in Louisiana believe the suspect accused of murdering a TV reporter in town to cover the Super Bowl planned numerous drugging schemes over several years with an accomplice, according to a report.

Adan Manzano, 27, a reporter for Telemundo Feb. 5, was found dead in a hotel room in Kenner, La., on Feb. 5, days before the Super Bowl in nearby New Orleans. Danette Colbert was later arrested in connection with his death, with police alleging she had Manzano’s credit card.

Colbert was later charged with second-degree murder, with police alleging she drugged Manzano, whose death was the result of combined toxic effects of alcohol and Xanax.

On March 18, Kenner police alleged that Colbert had an accomplice, Rickey White, who was arrested in Florida and charged with simple robbery and multiple counts of fraud. It’s not clear if he has entered a plea.

“Evidence located suggests Colbert and her associate commonly use substances to drug their victims,” police alleged in a press release.

ABC News, citing a law enforcement source, reported that the pair had schemed via text message for years to drug and rob victims in multiple jurisdictions.

Sources reportedly told the outlet that investigators have also turned up other victims.

“This is a national, multi-jurisdictional crime spree. For that reason, we’ve asked and have been working with our attorney general to run point. Hopefully, we’ll have a better shot at solving it that way,” Williams told ABC News. “This was not random. There’s a certain pattern with having drinks or food and then saying to the person they’ll help him back to their room.” 

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Colbert had previously been accused in Louisiana of drugging a man and stealing from him, according to police.

Manzano, who was part of the Chiefs TV crew for Telemundo KC, 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.”