Costs within the February loss of life of Adan Manzano, a Telemundo TV sports activities reporter within the New Orleans space to cowl the Tremendous Bowl, have been upgraded to second-degree homicide, the Kenner (Louisiana) Police Division stated Tuesday.
Danette Colbert, 48, has been charged with second-degree homicide within the loss of life of the 27-year-old Kansas Metropolis-based Manzano, who was discovered lifeless in his Kenner lodge room on Wednesday, February 5 throughout Tremendous Bowl Week.
Inside days of his loss of life, Kenner police had arrested Colbert, an area resident, after she allegedly used Manzano’s bank card at a number of New Orleans shops.
Based on police, safety video from Manzano’s lodge confirmed Colbert and Manzano coming into his room early within the morning of February 5, and Colbert leaving alone shortly thereafter.
On the time of her preliminary arrest, Kenner police stated Colbert had an arrest report that features allegations of drugging different males, theft of forex, fraudulent use of credit score and debit playing cards, and different monetary crimes.
At present’s upgraded expenses comply with the completion of an post-mortem and toxicology experiences that point out Xanax was present in Manzano’s physique. Based on police, Manzano didn’t have a prescription for the drug, and police later recovered Xanax from Colbert’s residence.
Kenner authorities stated Manzano’s blood alcohol content material was .232, almost 3 times the authorized restrict, and that his toxicology outcomes point out a “not insignificant quantity” of Xanax. On the Kenner police press convention at the moment, which aired stay on Fb, legislation enforcement officers stated Manzano died from the mixed poisonous results of Xanax and alcohol along with “positional asphyxia” — Manzano was discovered face-down in a pillow on a mattress.
Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich, the Jefferson Parish coroner, stated throughout the press convention that Manzano’s particular method of loss of life stays “undetermined,” versus both unintended, which might be typical in an overdose, or a murder.
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley stated the investigation nonetheless has many “dots to attach.”
Conley additionally introduced at the moment that an alleged confederate has been arrested in Florida. Ricky White has been charged on the identical property counts as Colbert, however not, as of but, the extra severe expenses.
White was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Hollywood, FL, final week and is awaiting extradition.
On the time of Manzano’s loss of life, Colbert, in keeping with the police, was serving a 10-year suspended sentence in reference to the 2021 drugging and theft of one other man.
Whereas Conley wouldn’t present particulars on the place the present investigation is now headed, he stated, “We don’t need Ms. Colbert to see the sunshine of day once more.”
