New security camera footage reveals a suspect, Danette Colbert, inside the hotel room of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano shortly before his death on February 5th. Manzano, 27, was in New Orleans covering Super Bowl LIX for the Kansas City-based station. Police discovered his body at the Comfort Suites in Kenner, Louisiana, the same day the footage allegedly shows Colbert entering and later leaving Manzano's room alone.
Kenner police have identified Colbert, 45, as a "career criminal" and she currently faces numerous charges, including being a fugitive, traffic violations, purse snatching, aggravated device fraud, illegal transfer of funds, bank fraud, computer fraud, and robbery. Additional charges are possible pending the results of Manzano's autopsy. Police Chief Keith Conley revealed that one of Manzano's credit cards and his cellphone were missing from the room. Authorities later tracked the credit card to Colbert.
Chief Conley also mentioned the possibility that Manzano was drugged and stated that other individuals have reported similar incidents involving Colbert. He described her as someone who “plays a confidence game” and has a history of crimes against individuals, particularly involving financial fraud and theft.
Video surveillance reportedly shows Manzano arriving at his hotel room around 4:35 a.m. on February 5th. Colbert is seen entering and leaving the room a short time later before departing for good around 6 a.m. A search warrant executed at Colbert’s residence uncovered a stolen firearm (unrelated to Manzano's death) and narcotics. Chief Conley stated that Colbert's criminal record includes three separate cases where she gained access to personal information and credit cards through similar schemes.
Telemundo 39 released a statement mourning the loss of Manzano, describing him as a dedicated professional and rising star. This tragedy follows another devastating loss for Manzano, whose wife, Ashleigh Boyd, died in a car accident last year.
