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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A third person has been arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans
A third person was arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans, providing fresh evidence of what authorities described Friday as an organized plot to drug and rob people. Police in Kenner, just west of New Orleans, accused Christian Anderson of renting the car used by Danette Colbert, one of two suspects previously charged with second-degree murder, fraud and theft crimes in the Feb. 5 death of Adan Manzano, 27. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has described Colbert, 48, as a "serial fraudster." In a news release, the Kenner Police Department said that Anderson, 33, allegedly provided logistical support and spoke extensively with Colbert after Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel. The department also accused Anderson of seeking to benefit from Manzano's stolen assets. Investigators reviewed text messages and digital communications showing that Anderson allegedly 'played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property, including phones and financial account access,' the department said. Anderson was arrested on suspicion of simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of money, bank fraud and computer fraud, the department said. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. Manzano, a Telemundo reporter, was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl. He was last seen entering his hotel room with Colbert on the morning of Feb. 5, Kenner police officials have said. Authorities have partly blamed Manzano's death on the combined toxic effects of alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug often sold under the brand name Xanax, and ethanol. It isn't clear how the drug, which Manzano did not have a prescription for, got into his system. A device believed to be Manzano's cellphone was found at Colbert's home, police officials have said, and she allegedly used his credit card at a New Orleans-area store. The third alleged accomplice, Rickey White, 34, was arrested in Florida in March on fraud and theft charges. He was extradited to Louisiana and charged with second-degree murder earlier this month. An attorney for White has denied the charges. Lawyers for Colbert have not responded to requests for comment but have said in court that she should not be judged on her criminal history. Colbert has previously been charged in several other similar fraud cases, some of which included allegations of drugging. In one case, the victim accused her of drugging him, leaving him for dead and stealing tens of thousands of dollars through accounts linked to his iPhone. Colbert was convicted of computer fraud and other charges in October. Despite pleas from the victim, David Butler, that Colbert be given the maximum penalty for what he described in an impact statement as her 'continued disregard for others,' she was sentenced to five years of probation in December, two months before Manzano's death. After NBC News reported on Butler's case, the Louisiana Attorney General Office intervened and sought a tougher penalty for Colbert. Earlier this month, the judge who imposed probation found Colbert to be a 'habitual offender' and sentenced her to 25 years in prison, the prosecutor's office said. 'Danette Colbert will finally be held accountable, and she will no longer be free to continue preying on innocent people,' Butler said afterward. 'I sincerely hope this decision brings some peace to other survivors and helps restore their faith in the justice system.' A lawyer for Colbert did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on
NBC News
4 days ago
- NBC News
A third person has been arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans
A third person was arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans, providing fresh evidence of what authorities described Friday as an organized plot to drug and rob people. Police in Kenner, just west of New Orleans, accused Christian Anderson of renting the car used by Danette Colbert, one of two suspects previously charged with second-degree murder, fraud and theft crimes in the Feb. 5 death of Adan Manzano, 27. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has described Colbert, 48, as a "serial fraudster." In a news release, the Kenner Police Department said that Anderson, 33, allegedly provided logistical support and spoke extensively with Colbert after Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel. The department also accused Anderson of seeking to benefit from Manzano's stolen assets. Investigators reviewed text messages and digital communications showing that Anderson allegedly 'played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property, including phones and financial account access,' the department said. Anderson was arrested on suspicion of simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of money, bank fraud and computer fraud, the department said. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. Manzano, a Telemundo reporter, was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl. He was last seen entering his hotel room with Colbert on the morning of Feb. 5, Kenner police officials have said. Authorities have partly blamed Manzano's death on the combined toxic effects of alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug often sold under the brand name Xanax, and ethanol. It isn't clear how the drug, which Manzano did not have a prescription for, got into his system. A device believed to be Manzano's cellphone was found at Colbert's home, police officials have said, and she allegedly used his credit card at a New Orleans-area store. The third alleged accomplice, Rickey White, 34, was arrested in Florida in March on fraud and theft charges. He was extradited to Louisiana and charged with second-degree murder earlier this month. An attorney for White has denied the charges. Lawyers for Colbert have not responded to requests for comment but have said in court that she should not be judged on her criminal history. Colbert has previously been charged in several other similar fraud cases, some of which included allegations of drugging. In one case, the victim accused her of drugging him, leaving him for dead and stealing tens of thousands of dollars through accounts linked to his iPhone. Colbert was convicted of computer fraud and other charges in October. Despite pleas from the victim, David Butler, that Colbert be given the maximum penalty for what he described in an impact statement as her 'continued disregard for others,' she was sentenced to five years of probation in December, two months before Manzano's death. After NBC News reported on Butler's case, the Louisiana Attorney General Office intervened and sought a tougher penalty for Colbert. Earlier this month, the judge who imposed probation found Colbert to be a 'habitual offender' and sentenced her to 25 years in prison, the prosecutor's office said. 'Danette Colbert will finally be held accountable, and she will no longer be free to continue preying on innocent people,' Butler said afterward. 'I sincerely hope this decision brings some peace to other survivors and helps restore their faith in the justice system.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3rd person arrested in death of Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans
May 30 (UPI) -- A third person has been arrested in connection to the death of a television reporter from Kansas City in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl in February. Christian Anderson, 33, of New Orleans, is facing charges in "his alleged involvement in the scheme that ultimately led to [Adan] Manzano's death," the Kenner Police Department said, according to ABC News. Manzano, a 27-year-old reporter for KGKC-TV Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, was found dead face-down on a pillow in his Kenner Comfort Suites hotel room at 5 a.m. Feb. 5, police said. The hotel is about 13 miles west of New Orleans, where Super Bowl LIX was played four days later. Manzano, a father one one, died from the effects of Xanax, which is an anti-anxiety medication, and alcohol, as well as positional asphyxia, according to the Jefferson Parish coroner. His blood alcohol level was .232, almost three times the legal amount in Louisiana. Previously arrested were Danette Colbert, 48, and Rickey White, 34. Anderson rented a car used by Colbert on the day of Manzano's death, according to police. "Further evidence showed that Anderson provided logistical support, engaged in post-crime communication, and assisted in attempts to financially benefit from the victim's stolen assets," Kenner police said, according to "Additionally, records show Anderson and Colbert communicated extensively following the incident, and that he played a role in the group's recurring criminal behavior." Anderson, who is in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, faces charges of principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud. Colbert is accused of going into Manzano's hotel room hours before he was found dead. Manzano's cellphone and credit card were found in her home, Kenner police said. Police said the three "played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property." Police reviewed text messages and digital communications. Colbert was initially charged with property crimes, including theft and fraud-related offenses. In March, she was charged with second-degree murder after the autopsy results. Colbert has been dubbed the "Bourbon Street Hustler," named after the famous street in New Orleans. Earlier this month, Colbert was sentenced to 25 years in prison in a previous fraud conviction, according to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. She was given a suspended 10-year sentence after being found guilty last year of theft, computer fraud and illegal transmission of monetary funds. "The evidence was overwhelming that this woman was a serial fraudster and took advantage of multiple tourists and innocent people over many years in the French Quarter," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill posted on X. "I wish we could have saved the life of Adam Manzano. His family and co-workers remain in my thoughts and prayers. I'm hopeful and confident justice will be served in Jefferson Parish, as well, where Colbert is also facing charges of second-degree murder for Manzano's death." Manzano had posted previous Super Bowls he covered on Instagram.
UPI
4 days ago
- UPI
3rd person arrested in death of Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans
May 30 (UPI) -- A third person has been arrested in connection to the death of a television reporter from Kansas City in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl in February. Christian Anderson, 33, of New Orleans, is facing charges in "his alleged involvement in the scheme that ultimately led to [Adan] Manzano's death," the Kenner Police Department said, according to ABC News. Manzano, a 27-year-old reporter for KGKC-TV Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, was found dead face-down on a pillow in his Kenner Comfort Suites hotel room at 5 a.m. Feb. 5, police said. The hotel is about 13 miles west of New Orleans, where Super Bowl LIX was played four days later. Manzano, a father one one, died from the effects of Xanax, which is an anti-anxiety medication, and alcohol, as well as positional asphyxia, according to the Jefferson Parish coroner. His blood alcohol level was .232, almost three times the legal amount in Louisiana. Previously arrested were Danette Colbert, 48, and Rickey White, 34. Anderson rented a car used by Colbert on the day of Manzano's death, according to police. "Further evidence showed that Anderson provided logistical support, engaged in post-crime communication, and assisted in attempts to financially benefit from the victim's stolen assets," Kenner police said, according to "Additionally, records show Anderson and Colbert communicated extensively following the incident, and that he played a role in the group's recurring criminal behavior." Anderson, who is in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, faces charges of principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud. Colbert is accused of going into Manzano's hotel room hours before he was found dead. Manzano's cellphone and credit card were found in her home, Kenner police said. Police said the three "played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property." Police reviewed text messages and digital communications. Colbert was initially charged with property crimes, including theft and fraud-related offenses. In March, she was charged with second-degree murder after the autopsy results. Colbert has been dubbed the "Bourbon Street Hustler," named after the famous street in New Orleans. Earlier this month, Colbert was sentenced to 25 years in prison in a previous fraud conviction, according to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. She was given a suspended 10-year sentence after being found guilty last year of theft, computer fraud and illegal transmission of monetary funds. "The evidence was overwhelming that this woman was a serial fraudster and took advantage of multiple tourists and innocent people over many years in the French Quarter," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill posted on X. "I wish we could have saved the life of Adam Manzano. His family and co-workers remain in my thoughts and prayers. I'm hopeful and confident justice will be served in Jefferson Parish, as well, where Colbert is also facing charges of second-degree murder for Manzano's death." Manzano had posted previous Super Bowls he covered on Instagram.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3rd person arrested in connection with death of Telemundo Super Bowl reporter
A third person has been arrested in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, a Telemundo reporter who was found dead in his hotel room while in Louisiana to cover the Super Bowl, authorities announced Friday. Christian Anderson, of New Orleans, was arrested "for his alleged involvement in the scheme that ultimately led to Manzano's death," the Kenner Police Department said in a press release. MORE: Text messages show yearslong scheme between suspects in Super Bowl reporter's death: Sources Manzano, a reporter for KGKC Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, was found dead face-down on a pillow in his hotel room in Kenner on Feb. 5, police said. He died from the combined effects of Xanax -- an anti-anxiety medication -- and alcohol along with positional asphyxia, according to the Jefferson Parish coroner. A woman who police said was seen going into Manzano's hotel room hours before he was found dead -- Danette Colbert -- and an alleged accomplice were previously arrested in connection with his death. Manzano's cellphone and credit card were found in her home, Kenner police said. Police said a review of text messages and digital communications shows that Anderson, 33, and the two suspects "played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property." Anderson rented a car that was used by Colbert on the day of Manzano's death, according to police. MORE: Woman charged with murder in death of Telemundo Super Bowl reporter "Further evidence showed that Anderson provided logistical support, engaged in post-crime communication, and assisted in attempts to financially benefit from the victim's stolen assets," Kenner police said. "Additionally, records show Anderson and Colbert communicated extensively following the incident, and that he played a role in the group's recurring criminal behavior." Anderson faces charges of principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud. He is in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. Colbert was arrested in the days following Manzano's death and initially charged with property crimes, including theft and fraud-related offenses. She was subsequently charged with second-degree murder in his death following the autopsy. The other suspect in the case, Rickey White, faces the same property crime charges as Colbert. Earlier this month, Colbert was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a previous fraud conviction, according to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. She was given a suspended 10-year sentence after being found guilty last year of theft, computer fraud and illegal transmission of monetary funds. The attorney general's office said it argued for a harsher sentence due to her prior fraud felony convictions, and a judge subsequently sentenced her to 25 years. "The evidence was overwhelming that this woman was a serial fraudster and took advantage of multiple tourists and innocent people over many years in the French Quarter," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement following the sentencing. "I wish we could have saved the life of Adam Manzano." "I'm hopeful and confident justice will be served in Jefferson Parish as well, where Colbert is also facing charges of second-degree murder for Manzano's death," she added. 3rd person arrested in connection with death of Telemundo Super Bowl reporter originally appeared on
