Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano, 27, met his fate too soon when the “bourbon street hustler,” Danette Colbert, 48, drugged and killed him. A recent footage of Manzano and her was released, taken hours before his death.
Not only this, but also she is a suspect and is being investigated over another recent similar fatality of a Maryland man who died before Manzano.
RELATED STORIES
The moments before his death
The Telemundo reporter can be seen smiling behind Colbert while carrying a plastic bag on their way to Manzano’s room.
Manzano was staying in a New Orleans hotel as he was covering the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, he was found dead in his hotel room.
She was using his card
Manzano was found without his phone and credit card when police were investigating the crime scene.
Turns out, Colbert stole them as she was caught illegally using Manzano’s card. Colbert was the last person seen in Manzano’s company right before his death.
The death of another man
In addition to Manzano’s death, police are also investigating her involvement in the death of a Maryland 55-year-old man, John Jenkins.
Jenkins was found dead in a French Quarter hotel on December 15. As reported by NOLA.com, cocaine, and ethanol were found in his system and were the cause of his death.
His death was thought to be an accident
“We suspect she may be related to the case,” Kenner Police Deputy Chief Mark McCormick said. Jenkins’ death was first ruled out by the coroner as accidental.
However, Kenner detectives have joined forces with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office and State Police Troop Nola to see whether the death is related to Colbert or not.
Jenkins was there for the Super Bowl as well
Jenkins was also in New Orleans for a Saints and Washington Commanders match-up. Jenkins was known as a keen fan, and when he missed out on the game, it sparked concern among his friends. That’s when he was found dead in his hotel room.
Another man fell victim to Colbert
David Butler, 52, met Colbert in the French Quarter as well. She offered him a cocktail that left Butler disoriented and struggling to get home.
“She ushered me into some kind of black Suburban that was literally right there,” he told NBC News. “And that’s the last thing I remember that night.”
Butler suffered losses
Butler was passed out on the floor but was shaken awake by a property manager. After regaining consciousness, Butler found out that his phone and wallet were no longer with him, in addition to his credit card being used for making thousand-dollar charges at Best Buy and Walmart.
Colbert’s previous crimes
Nevada court records revealed that in 2022, Colbert was charged with committing grand larceny and administering a drug to aid in the commission of a felony.
Both cases were tried separately, and both were dismissed after the victims refused to testify in court.
And the list goes on
In October 2024, Colbert was convicted of computer fraud, theft, and illegal transmission of monetary funds.
Orleans Criminal District Judge Nandi Campbell ordered Colbert to pay restitution and remain on probation for five years instead of sentencing her to prison time.
If she were in prison, Manzano might have lived
Butler was far from being a fan of the sentencing she got, saying: “Had the court acted decisively by incarcerating Ms. Colbert or enforcing stricter conditions for her release, it is possible Mr. Manzano would still be alive today.”
