Woman charged with murder in death of Telemundo Super Bowl reporter
A woman last seen with a sports reporter before he was found dead in his hotel room after traveling to New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl has been charged with second-degree murder, police announced on Tuesday.
Adan Manzano, a reporter for KGKC Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, on Feb. 5, police said.
A woman who police said was seen going into Manzano's hotel room hours before he was found dead -- Danette Colbert of Slidell, Louisiana -- was initially charged with property crimes, including theft and fraud-related offenses, after police said she had his cellphone and credit card in her home.
On Tuesday, she was also booked on a second-degree murder charge, Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
"We recognize it's going to be a circumstantial case," Conley said during a press briefing, though he called getting the probable cause affidavit signed for the second-degree murder charge "a good start."
"We're not going to give up. We are still investigating this case around the clock," he said.
Surveillance video shows Manzano and Colbert at his hotel the morning of Feb. 5, police said. Colbert was seen leaving his room and coming back, then leaving again later that morning, police said. No one else entered the room and Manzano never left.
Manzano died from the combined effects of Xanax -- an anti-anxiety medication -- and alcohol along with "positional asphyxia," Jefferson Parish coroner Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich revealed on Tuesday.
His alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit, Cvitanovich said.
MORE: Suspect charged in double homicide after couple found dead in their home: Officials
The manner of death is undetermined due to the "uncertain circumstances" of the case, Cvitanovich said.
"In most cases of overdose deaths, the manner of death is accidental, and that's whether or not there's positional asphyxia," the coroner said. "However, given the uncertain circumstances of this case and the additional collection of circumstances of this case, we felt that the most appropriate manner of death is undetermined."
An alleged accomplice of Colbert's in the property crimes has also been arrested, police said Tuesday.
Ricky White was arrested in Hollywood, Florida, and is awaiting extradition to Louisiana, Conley said. He faces the same property crime charges as Colbert, the chief said.
"We found correspondence and information where they were going back and forth. So we think they were working hand in hand, in concert with each other on this," Conley said.
Since Colbert's arrest on Feb. 6, the Kenner Police Department said it has been contacted by people "claiming to be victims or reporting suspicious deaths under similar circumstances."
Colbert was ordered held without bail on Feb. 25 after a judge in Jefferson Parish decided she was a flight risk and a danger, citing her prior criminal history.
Woman charged with murder in death of Telemundo Super Bowl reporter originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Devil in the Ozarks' Grant Hardin captured by Border Patrol team
(NewsNation) — A special tactical unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is being credited with helping capture fugitive Grant Hardin, the so-called 'Devil in the Ozarks' who escaped from an Arkansas prison May 25. Multiple sources tell NewsNation correspondent Ali Bradley that three agents from the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, or BORTAC, apprehended Hardin on Friday. BORTAC, which is based out of El Paso, Texas, has members deployed throughout the country. Protesters confront ICE agents in cities across US Federal officials said BORTAC agents out of the Rio Grande Valley Sector had been assigned to search for Hardin. Details were still emerging about Hardin's capture, which was announced Friday by the Stone County, Arkansas, Sheriff's Office. CBP said BORTAC agents have 'advanced search capabilities' and extensive training in navigating complex terrain such as the region into which Hardin disappeared. Chief Border Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez said the unit's 'unique capabilities and training are well-suited for the demands of this critical mission.' The BORTAC team is often called in when all other options for search assistance have been exhausted, federal officials said BORTAC agents were also called into action when reports emerged of an active shooter at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas in 2022. Texas Monthly reported at the time that BORTAC agents were investigating stash houses on the border just west of Uvalde when agents were dispatched to the school where the shooting took place. BORTAC agents were later credited with fatally shooting the suspect in the high-profile school shooting. The presence of border agents caused some to question why federal immigration agents were involved, but agency officials told the outlet that agents are routinely present in Uvalde, which is located about 80 miles from northern Mexico. Grand theft cargo: Sinaloa cartel targets US rail companies BORTAC was also involved in the 2023 capture of Danelo Cavalcante, who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison and was captured after a two-week manhunt. Cavalcante, a convicted murderer, was located as part of a multi-unit search in which officers were able to surround him in a wooded area of the state without his knowledge. The specialized Border Patrol team was also called in to assist with another jailbreak at a maximum-security prison in New York in 2015. Agents shot and killed one of the escaped inmates, Richard Matt. In that operation, BORTAC agents swooped into a wooded area by helicopter and fatally shot Matt after he reportedly pointed a shotgun at agents, NBC News reported. Agents were also dispatched to the Los Angeles riots in 1992, in which they assisted local police officers in dealing with the civil unrest that followed the police-involved beating of Rodney King. BORTAC agents are also sometimes assigned to provide security assistance at high-profile events like the Super Bowl, to assist with response to natural disasters and to assist with immigration operations in sanctuary cities, according to reports. BORTAC was created in 1984 to serve as a civil disobedience function to respond to riots at legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service detention centers, CBP officials said. The tactical team was quickly shifted to assist with high-risk warrant service, intelligence and reconnaissance missions and well as foreign law enforcement. The training for BORTAC agents is designed to mirror aspects of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, CBP officials said. Agents are put through training that can often last more than a month, which involves physical testing and pistol qualification, as well as swimming, treading water and drown-proofing. Agents who pass the physical portion of the training are then put through weeks of intensive training in small unit tactics, defensive tactics and airmobile operations, the agency said. The tactical training involves putting trainees through sleep deprivation and stress conditions training, as well as learning advanced techniques in weapons and tactics. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Harvey Weinstein Speaks Out as Retrial Nears End: My Actions Were ‘Immoral,' ‘Never ‘Criminal'
Harvey Weinstein gave a rare interview to New York's local Fox station on Friday as his retrial for charges of first-degree sexual assault and third-degree rape nears its end. 'I regret [that] I put my family through this, that I put my wife through this, that I acted immorally, that I put so many friends through this,' he said. 'I hurt people that were close to me by actions that were stupid but never illegal, never criminal, never anything.' The former producer also said that his attorney, Arthur Aidala, advised him not to take the stand in his own defense during the trial. 'I desperately wanted to,' he said. 'Arthur said to me that the jury … understood our case and would be sympathetic to our case, and that the D.A. would try to rip me apart if I took the stand. I'm not afraid of the D.A., but this is the best advice, and this is the advice you often hear: Don't take the stand if you don't have to.' More from Rolling Stone Sean Combs Accuser Sues Harvey Weinstein for Sexual Assault Harvey Weinstein Rape Retrial Begins as Prosecutors Detail New Charge and Identify New Accuser Harvey Weinstein Granted Hospital Transfer Ahead of Rape Retrial Weinstein spoke by phone from Bellevue Hospital, where he has been held for the duration of the proceeding due to his multiple health issues. ('I have spinal stenosis. I have bone marrow cancer. I have a thing called burning mouth disease. I have a list of ailments longer than an encyclopedia,' he said of his health.) The New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction last year. He had previously been found guilty of a felony sex crime and third-degree rape, two out of five charges he faced at the time. But the appeals court decided that prosecutors should not have been allowed to present testimony from accusers whose allegations did not specifically relate to the charges against him. The retrial, which began in April, focused on the claims of three women, two of whom were part of the 2020 case. Weinstein pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor and Weinstein's legal team presented their closing arguments this week. Jury deliberations began Thursday. When asked what he thought of the women who'd levied accusations against him in this trial, Weinstein told Fox, 'I think Arthur says they have four million reasons to testify, as in dollars.' Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a separate sexual assault conviction in Los Angeles. In December 2022, a jury there found Weinstein guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault. He has filed an appeal. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
24 arrested in major Central Jersey drug bust, prosecutor announces
A long-term, multi-agency investigation concluded with a coordinated narcotics enforcement operation on May 29 that led to the arrest of 24 individuals and the seizure of a substantial quantity of illegal drugs, firearms and cash, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced. On May 29 members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence and Narcotics Division, along with officers from more than 20 police departments including Linden, Roselle, Rahway, Elizabeth, Union County, Union County Sheriff's Office, Cranford, Summit, Kean University, Berkeley Heights, Springfield, Scotch Plains, Union and Woodbridge as well as the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Middlesex, Essex and Union counties and Newark SWAT, executed 14 search warrants across multiple locations. These locations included Linden, the Avenel section of Woodbridge, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Elizabeth, East Orange and Newark, officials said. The expansive operation was the result of a comprehensive investigation by the Intelligence and Narcotics Division and the Linden Police Department Narcotics Bureau targeting a drug distribution network operating mainly in Linden and Roselle. "Illegal drug sales and the violent crimes associated with it are some of the most destructive forces in our community today," stated Linden Police Chief David Hart. "This investigation has dismantled a complex criminal network, disrupted the flow of illegal drugs into our cities, and saved countless families from further violence and suffering. We are incredibly proud of the work done here, and grateful to the Union County Prosecutor's Office and all of our law enforcement partners for their incredible cooperation and support throughout the course of this investigation." The execution of the search warrants yielded substantial seizures, including: $81,559 in U.S. currency 6 handguns 431 grams of suspected powder cocaine 73 grams of suspected crack/cocaine 2,149 prescription pills 500 prescription Xanax pills 32 fluid ounces of Promethazine 19 pounds of suspected marijuana 22 grams of suspected heroin 16 folds of suspected heroin 127 grams of suspected methamphetamine 112 grams of cutting agents used to process controlled dangerous substances (CDS) Drug paraphernalia used for packaging CDS Drug paraphernalia used to operate a drug mill "This network, which was operated by people ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s, conspired with the united purpose to distribute illicit drugs in the Union County area," Daniel stated. "The success of this investigation is a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional collaboration among all participating law enforcement agencies. We are committed to dismantling drug distribution networks that fuel crime and endanger our communities." The individuals facing the most serous charges include: Hamid Holloway, 44, of East Orange: Charged with of first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, second-degree certain persons not to have weapons, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substances crime, three counts of third-degree possessing a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine. Steve Dale, 42, of Elizabeth: Charged with first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, three counts of second-degree possession of firearm while committing controlled dangerous substances offense, third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, third-degree possession of firearm without a serial number, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of school property and two counts of fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, Khylah Brown, 28, of Elizabeth: Charged with first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, three counts of second-degree possession of firearm while committing controlled dangerous substances offense, third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, third-degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of school property, third-degree possession of firearm without a serial number and two counts of fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine. Brian Perez, 34, of Elizabeth: Charged with first-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent todistribute, two counts of second-degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 500 feet of public property, third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine. Diane Oreilly, 64, of Roselle: Charged with first-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility and third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances CDS. Joel Coupaud, 70, of Roselle: Charged with first-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility and third-degree conspiracy to distribute. Michael Giles, 44, of Roselle: Charged with first-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility and disorderly persons use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. Ildefonso Colon, 28, of Roselle: Charged with two counts of second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property, third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and three counts of fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Sean Kelly, 32, of Elizabeth: Charged with second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, three counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Edward Fish Jr., 46, of Plainfield: Charged with second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances and third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances. Jessica Montes-Bustillo, 25, of Elizabeth: Charged with second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substances offense, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and fourth-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances. Anthony Brown, 31, of Elizabeth: Charged with second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substances offense, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and fourth-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10A(3) Eugene Doss, 44, of the Avenel section of Woodbridge: Charged with second-degree possession of a prescription legend drug with intent to distribute, third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, fourth-degree possession of a prescription legend drug, fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. Jevaughn Brown, 30, of Rahway: Charged with second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances. Naim Holloway, 44, of East Orange: Charged with second-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute and third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Union County Prosecutor's Office NarcoticsTask Force Detective Dylan Cosgrove at 908-341-3088 or Linden Police Detective Michael Olbrysat 908-474-8515. email: cmakin@ Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@ or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Central Jersey drug bust leads to 24 arrests, guns, cashed seized
