A disturbing case of death is currently under investigation, involving a Super Bowl reporter identified as Adan Manzano, aged 27. A baffling series of events unfolded after he was seen heading back to his hotel with an individual by the name of Danette Colbert, aged 48, following an evening out during his assignment in New Orleans. For three consecutive years, Manzano had been entrusted by Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports to report on the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, an alarm was raised by his TV station after he failed to report to work, leading to a shocking discovery of his lifeless body in a hotel room situated in Kenner, roughly 13 miles from New Orleans.
Despite the tragic discovery, the reasons behind this unfortunate demise remain obscure. Authorities were unable to accurately identify any immediate signs of trauma on Manzano’s body. Police have noted that it may take upwards of a month before the exact cause of death can be definitively discerned. Adding to the unsettling nature of this case, video evidence surfaced showing Manzano in the company of Colbert, who has a reputation among local law enforcement as a serial offender.
It was reported that approximately an hour subsequent to the recording, Colbert left Manzano’s hotel room on her own. Incriminating evidence against her began to emerge when detectives spotted purchases made with Manzano’s credit card, found in hotel records, around the New Orleans area. At present, fraud and theft are the charges levelled against Colbert. Significantly, KPD Chief Keith Conley declared that Manzano’s phone and credit card were discovered in Colbert’s residence in Slidell, situated around 33 miles northern to New Orleans.
Extending the list of charges against her, local police reported that Colbert has a long track record of criminal behavior, including allegations of drugging male victims, money theft, and illegal use of financial cards. According to Chief Conley, Colbert is a frequent face in the French Quarter, known for engaging in fraudulent schemes. Describing her predatory tactics, Conley stated, ‘She operates on a system of false trust. She is unquestionably a career criminal.’
Moreover, Deputy Chief Mark McCormick mentioned that the investigators are in the process of awaiting toxicology findings from the coroner that could potentially contribute to their case. In his words, ‘This particular piece of the puzzle is crucial. Until we receive the outcomes, there won’t be any concrete grounds for bringing more stringent charges against Danette Colbert.’
Additional discoveries during the search included narcotics and a stolen firearm located within her residence. However, these findings have not yet been linked to Manzano’s death. Of note, there were no signs of illicit substances or smuggled goods found within Manzano’s hotel room.
Further context about Colbert’s reputation came to light when local residents recognized her as the notorious ‘Bourbon Street hustler’, referring to a previous arrest that occurred earlier in 2022. Recounting this, Chief Conley used the occasion to ardently caution about the inherent risks of visiting metropolitan cities such as New Orleans. He emphasized the cunning strategies used by predators to victimize unsuspecting individuals and warned of the potential pitfalls of being unsupervised in large cities.
Manzano’s untimely death is a heartbreaking extension of a series of tragic experiences endured by his family. A short while ago, his beloved wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd, who was an elementary school teacher, fatalistically lost her life in a car collision in Topeka, leaving their young daughter orphaned.
In the wake of his wife’s departure, Manzano had been courageously managing parenthood, taking care of their child who had grievously suffered in the disastrous car accident which left her without a mother. The innocent child turned 15 months old around the time when she tragically lost her mother.
For Manzano, the Super Bowl was more than just a professional assignment. Working for the Kansas City’s Telemundo affiliate KGKC, he was reporting his third Super Bowl coverage at the time of his death, and also joined the Chiefs television crew as a sideline reporter at the onset of the 2024 season.
Manzano, who hailed from Mexico City, embarked on a new chapter of his life when he relocated to Topeka, Kansas, in 2018. Subsequently, he accomplished his graduation from Kansas State University. His fascination for American football was evident, and he cherished the opportunity to narrate stories of diverse backgrounds.
In one of the most heartbreaking testimonials of his life, Manzano had posted a photograph on Facebook with his departed wife and younger daughter celebrating her first birthday. That post was made a year before his death, indicative of his struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy for his daughter, amidst the personal heartache he was dealing with.
The untimely death of Adan Manzano remains a chilling reminder of how quickly life can turn tragic. While investigations continue, his loved ones grieve the loss of a determined husband, caring father, and an ardent sports reporter whose story was abruptly cut short in the prime of his life.