KC sports reporter who died in New Orleans may have been drugged by suspect, police say

Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano may have been drugged before his death by the suspect who is in custody, according to Kenner police.

Danette Colbert of Slidell, Louisiana, was arrested by Kenner police on Friday, Feb. 7. Colbert is currently facing fraud and theft-related charges and is being held in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Manzano, 27, was on assignment covering his third Super Bowl for Telemundo and Tico Sports, a multimedia production company that broadcasts Chiefs games in Spanish, when he was found dead in his Kenner hotel room.

On Monday, police released an update that Colbert could face additional charges, including the possibility that Manzano was drugged before his death.

Colbert’s criminal history includes allegations of drugging men to steal from them stretching back almost a decade, police say.

Toxicology results will take several weeks to become available. Manzano’s initial autopsy results found no obvious signs of trauma, according to the Jefferson Parish coroner’s office.

Investigators have uncovered several locations where Colbert and Manzano were seen together in New Orleans and are reviewing security footage.

Security video allegedly shows Colbert with Manzano at his hotel between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. the morning of his death. Colbert allegedly is seen leaving alone shortly thereafter. Colbert allegedly used Manzano’s credit card at several stores in the New Orleans area.

Police have also been contacted by people claiming to be victims or reporting suspicious deaths under similar circumstances since Colbert’s arrest. Those complaints have been sent to the proper jurisdictions for further investigation.

Detectives also collected multiple electronic devices connected that are being examined to determine if they are related to Manzano’s death.

Manzano’s family set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for his funeral and to honor him. His death comes less than a year after the death of his wife, Ashleigh Boyd, who was a teacher for the Topeka Public Schools District. The couple’s toddler daughter survives them.

The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed reporting.

This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 12:51 PM.