New evidence released after reporter was found dead in hotel room at Super Bowl
Topics: Super Bowl, News, Crime, US News, Sport
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Adan Manzano
Topics: Super Bowl, News, Crime, US News, Sport
New details about news reporter Adan Manzano's death have been revealed after he passed away earlier this month aged 27.
Earlier this month, the news anchor was found dead in his New Orleans hotel room just days before he was due to cover this year's Super Bowl.
In a tribute after his passing, Manzano was described as 'an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work'.
The 27-year-old's unexpected passing was quickly followed with a woman being arrested in connection with his death.
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A woman named Danette Colbert — who has reportedly earned herself the nickname of 'Bourbon Street Hustler' — has been charged with fraud and theft after allegedly using Manzano's credit card.
Colbert is accused of luring Manzano into a hotel room, New York Post reports. The pair were seen together on hotel CCTV footage, which was the last known footage of the sports anchor before he died.
Colbert has since confirmed that she was the woman in the video with Manzano. She denied using his credit card, however.
Now, as the investigation into Manzano's death continues, police have revealed that the reporter was found to have Xanax in his system from a preliminary toxicology results.
Kenner Police Detective Jeffrey Fritzmorris made the revelation during a bond hearing for Colbert yesterday (February 25).
Fritzmorris added that Manzano was not prescribed Xanax prior to his death and that it is unclear how or when he ingested the drug. Colbert's home was alleged to have drugs in it, but her attorney argued that it doesn't mean she supplied them to Manzano and that anyone could have given them to him.
The attorney further noted that CCTV footage doesn't show who gave the late news reporter the drugs that have been found in his system.
It was also in Colbert's home that police discovered Manzano's stolen phone and credit card.
A judge has denied Colbert bond and dubbed her a flight risk, KCTV 5 said.
Manzano's death follows his wife Ashleigh Boyd's death last year.
Boyd tragically died at the age of 24 in April 2024 following a car accident.
Both she and Manzano are survived by their young daughter, Eleanor.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].