NEW ORLEANS — A television reporter who died in New Orleans during the transfer to cover the Super Bowl had sedatives in his system, police detectives testified in court this week.
Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old anchor and reporter for Telemundo in Kansas City, Missouri, was found dead in a hotel room outside of New Orleans in Kenner on February 5th during Super Bowl week.
Danette Colbert, 48, has been accused of stealing Manzano’s cell phone and bank card after being seen in security video footage entering a hotel room with him, authorities said. Kenner Police Department Deputy Director Mark McCormick is being held unconfined after appearing in court Tuesday, based on her criminal history.
“We believe it will help prevent further sacrifices for the public,” he said Wednesday.
Colbert’s lawyer Stavros Panagropoulos said authorities are making assumptions about their connection with Colbert with Manzano’s death.
“We look forward to our day in court to present all the evidence when necessary,” Panagoulopoulos said. “Assumptions and speculations are not sufficient to maintain criminal prosecution. We look forward to providing more information as this case moves forward.”
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Colbert faces multiple felony charges related to theft and fraud, McCormick said as police await a final autopsy and report on toxicology. He added that Colbert could face upgraded fees after these tests are finalised in the coming weeks.
According to Media Autolet nola.com, Manzano’s system, which contains depressive benzodiazepines commonly sold under the Xanax brand name of Detective Kenner Police, who testified before the Magistrates Court for Jeffrey Parrish, has been found to include Manzano’s system. Manzano does not have a prescription for Xanax or other depressants based on medical records, and the drugs are often used to promote theft by inducing amnesia, detectives said.
Police say Xanax has also recovered from Colbert’s residence.
Overdose of the drug can lead to “extremely drowsy” and “potential death,” according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
Surveillance footage showed Colbert arrived with Manzano in his hotel room around 5am on the day of his death and left without him about an hour later, police said. Authorities say Colbert will later use Manzano credit cards to purchase at gas stations in New Orleans and several stores in the area.
Last year, a Louisiana ju-dean discovered Colbert was found guilty of theft and fraud in an unrelated case.
In 2022, Colbert was arrested twice in Las Vegas on felony felony charges and administered drugs to support a felony crime, court records show. In both cases, she was accused of paralyzing the man in her hotel room and stealing him from them, but the charges were dismissed because the victim didn’t want to testify in court.
By Jack Brook
