Latest news with #Xanax
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Louisiana police arrest third suspect in Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano's hotel death
Louisiana police have arrested a third suspect in connection with Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano's hotel room murder. Manzano, a 27-year-old Kansas City, Missouri-based Telemundo sports reporter, was in New Orleans on assignment to cover Super Bowl LIX. Advertisement He was found dead with Xanax in his system in his room at the Comfort Suites hotel in Kenner, Louisiana, on the morning of Feb. 5. Officials said his death was caused by the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol, noting that he had been found 'face-down in a pillow with no lividity around his nose and mouth.' Since then, Kenner police have arrested so-called 'Bourbon Street Hustler' Danette Colbert, 48, and her accused accomplice, Ricky White, in connection with Manzano's death, On Friday, Kenner police also announced the arrest of Christian Anderson, 33, a New Orleans resident, for his alleged involvement in the plot that led to Manzano's death. Advertisement Colbert was nicknamed the 'Bourbon Street Hustler' on social media due to her lengthy past targeting men in the French Quarter and stealing their money. 5 Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano was found dead in his hotel room on Feb. 5. AP She is accused of similar crimes in Las Vegas. Authorities believe she, White and Anderson conspired to drug Manzano and then steal his credit cards before authorities found him dead. Advertisement Colbert and Manzano 'met in the French Quarter, probably in the wee hours of the morning,' Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley previously told Fox News Digital. 'They came back to the hotel that was in the city of Kenner about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 5, at which time we do have surveillance video from the lobby of the hotel showing them going into [Manzano's] room around that time,' Conley said. 'Then [Colbert] came out, ran to the store, came back about 30 minutes later, and within 10 or 15 minutes, she left the room. And he was never seen again on any video other than when he went into the room. So, she was the last one to be with him.' 5 'Bourbon Street Hustler' Danette Colbert is accused of the reporter's murder. Kenner PD Detectives found that one of Manzano's credit cards was missing while processing his hotel room, Conley told reporters during a news conference on Feb. 8. Advertisement Authorities then obtained a search warrant allowing them to track the locations where the credit card was used after Manzano was found, which led them to Colbert. White is facing various charges, including simple robbery and multiple counts of fraud. 5 Police arrested Ricky White in connection with Manzano's death. Broward County Sheriff's Office He was later charged with murder in connection with Manzano's death. Authorities have also obtained an arrest warrant for Anderson for principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud. He is currently detained at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center alongside Colbert and White, Kenner police said. 'Evidence gathered through search warrants, text message records, and digital communications revealed that Anderson, along with previously arrested suspects Danette Colbert and Rickey White, played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property, including phones and financial account access,' Kenner police said in a Friday press release. 5 Kenner police announced the arrest of Christian Anderson (right) for his alleged involvement in the murder plot. Kenner PD Advertisement 'Detectives discovered that the vehicle used by Danette Colbert on the day of Manzano's death had been rented by Christian Anderson, and 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.' Records also allegedly show that 'Anderson and Colbert communicated extensively following the incident, and that he played a role in the group's recurring criminal behavior,' Kenner police said. Colbert was recently sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for crimes unrelated to Manzano's death, including theft, computer fraud and illegal transmission of monetary funds stemming from a 2024 case. 5 Kenner PD released a picture that showed Manzano and Colbert at the Kenner Comfort Inn the morning the reporter died. Kenner Police department Advertisement Police are asking anyone with information about Colbert to come forward. Some victims, Conley said, do not speak up, due to the sensitive nature of the suspect's alleged crimes. Authorities executed a search warrant at Colbert's address after identifying her as a potential suspect in connection with Manzano's death and said they had located a stolen gun that did not appear to be related to Manzano's death and narcotics.
Yahoo
2 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
2 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
2 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Old Man Trump Repeatedly Fumbles in Weird Speech Praising Elon Musk
Hours after reports emerged Friday that Elon Musk had been under the influence of heavy drugs during his time advising the president, Musk and Donald Trump stumbled and fumbled their way through a White House press conference recognizing the end of the tech billionaire's special government employee status. The wildly unusual joint conference featured Musk's black eye, a giant gold key that Trump said he only gives to 'very special people,' cringe-worthy regurgitations by Musk of Trump's take on his Pulitzer Board defamation suit, and claims that Musk's unpopular and controversial time in the White House was not quite over. But as Trump continued to praise Musk and his time atop the Department of Government Efficiency, the president's verbal gaffes became more apparent. He claimed that DOGE had uncovered $42 million in wasteful spending, referring to expenditures related to Uganda, which Trump pronounced as 'oo-ganda.' The 78-year-old also mentioned he would have Musk's DOGE cuts 'cauterized by Congress,' though he quickly corrected himself by saying they would be 'affirmed by Congress,' instead. Trump's on-camera slippage has gotten worse in recent weeks: Earlier this month, Trump dozed off while in a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That is despite the fact that the president received a clean bill of health in a medical report released in April that described Trump as being in 'excellent health,' including neurological functioning. Musk, meanwhile, refused to acknowledge emerging reports of his alleged drug use. But the news of White House drug use under Trump's helm is nothing new: In fact, if the reports prove true, it would be little more than a return to form. Last year, a report by the Department of Defense inspector general indicated that the West Wing operated more like a pill mill than the nation's highest office. Common pills included modafinil, Adderall, fentanyl, morphine, and ketamine, according to the Pentagon report. But other, unlisted drugs—like Xanax—were equally easy to come by from the White House Medical Unit, according to anonymous sources that spoke to Rolling Stone. While other presidents were known to take a mix of drug cocktails to fight off back pain (like JFK) or bad moods (like Nixon), no previous administrations matched the level of debauchery of Trump's, whose in-office pharmacists unquestioningly handed out highly addictive substances to staffers who needed pick-me-ups or energy boosts—no doctor's exam, referral, or prescription required. 'It was kind of like the Wild West. Things were pretty loose. Whatever someone needs, we were going to fill this,' another source told Rolling Stone in March 2024. Meanwhile, pharmacists described an atmosphere of fear within the West Wing, claiming they would be 'fired' if they spoke out or would receive negative work assignments if they didn't hand pills over to staffers.
