NOLA: Suspect In Reporter's Death Called 'A Career Criminal'

Adan Manzano

A woman from Slidell Louisiana, 48-year-old Danette Colbert has been arrested after allegedly using credit cards belonging to deceased Telemundo journalist Adan Manzano. Manzano, who was in town to cover the Super Bowl, He was found dead in a hotel in Kenner on Wednesday, February 5.

Security footage from the hotel shows Colbert with Manzano entering his room early that morning, after which she left alone later that day. As of midday on February 7, Colbert has not been charged in connection with Manzano's death but has a history of similar crimes.

Danette Colbert

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley described Colbert during a Friday press conference as a "career criminal" known to New Orleans police for targeting men in the French Quarter. Her criminal record includes multiple arrests:

• In 2012, Colbert was arrested in New Orleans for robbery, pleading guilty and receiving two years probation along with a $2,700 fine.
• In 2014, she was implicated in another theft where she allegedly drugged a tourist near Lafayette Square, stealing cash, credit cards, and a $4,000 Rolex. She was later caught on camera using the stolen cards and assaulted a store manager when confronted, leading to charges of intimidation, battery, bank fraud, theft, and burglary. She was sentenced to five years probation.
• By 2016, she was back in court in Orleans Parish for purse snatching and burglary, again receiving probation.

Her criminal activities continued into 2022 in Las Vegas, where she was arrested for grand larceny and administering a drug in the commission of a felony after allegedly drugging a man and stealing valuables worth nearly $100,000. Despite her denials, she was charged again later that year while out on bond for a similar incident at the Wynn.

Colbert's pattern of crime, particularly targeting individuals in hotel settings, has led to her frequent appearances in police reports and courtrooms across states. 

The Wichita Eagle reports Manzano had been documenting his 2025 Super Bowl experience on social media earlier this week. "We've arrived in New Orleans to kick off our Super Bowl LIX coverage! ," he wrote in a joint Instagram post with Telemundo Kansas City on Sunday, February 2. 

"We are ready to bring you all the excitement, interviews, reactions and more, so you don't miss the best of this great event, by Telemundo Kansas City, channel 39. And channel 36 on Columbia and Jefferson City."

The next day, he was present at the opening ceremonies. "‘Opening Night' officially kicks off Super Bowl LIX week! ," a Monday, February 3, post on his Instagram read. "The teams, the excitement and all the stories surrounding this big event as Chiefs' quest for the coveted tri-championship start here. Don't miss any details of this great event by Telemundo Kansas City!" 

The journalist previously covered the 2023 and 2024 Super Bowl games for the Telemundo affiliate, both of which the Kansas City Chiefs won.