A Louisiana woman with a history of drugging and robbing men has been arrested in connection with the death of a Kansas City Telemundo reporter, who was in New Orleans working ahead of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs the Philadelphia Eagles.
Authorities revealed on Friday, February 2 that Danette Colbert was taken into custody after surveillance footage reportedly captured her leaving the hotel room of Adan Manzano, before using his credit card to make purchases around New Orleans.
According to NBC News, the 48-year-old Colbert is currently facing charges related to financial crimes and officials disclosed that Colbert has a well-documented history of this type of offense, including fraud and drugging victims before robbing them.
However, investigators are now looking into whether her alleged involvement extends to Manzano‘s death, given her past accusations of drugging men before stealing from them.
“[Colbert has] allegations of drugging men, theft of currency, fraudulent use of credit and debit cards, and other financial crimes,” Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley, of the woman’s past. She was previously charged with introducing a foreign substance into a victim in Nevada in 2022.
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Surveillance footage showed Colbert entering Manzano’s hotel room in Kenner around 04:00 on Wednesday, February 5 and leaving alone shortly afterward. The 27-year-old reporter was found dead nearly 12 hours after, when hotel staff performed a wellness check.
Although his cause of death remains unknown, the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office is conducting toxicology tests to determine whether he was drugged. Kenner Police Deputy Chief Mark McCormick acknowledged that Colbert’s history of drugging victims is a crucial aspect of the investigation. “Obviously, there are allegations in [Colbert’s] past criminal history that make us consider that,” McCormick said. “But we don’t have anything at this point.”
What are the previous allegations against Colbert?
Colbert‘s criminal activities have been well-documented over the years. In 2016, she was accused of stealing a man’s credit card and phone after meeting him at a bar on Bourbon Street.
The following day, she attempted to use the stolen card to purchase $1600 worth of gift cards at a Walmart in Kenner before being apprehended.
In January 2022, she allegedly drugged a man and stole $50,000 from him while on the Las Vegas Strip. Although McCormick could not confirm the specifics of this incident, it adds to a troubling pattern of behavior.
Colbert previously pleaded guilty to access device fraud and two counts of possession of stolen property in 2017, leading to a three-year prison sentence. Given her history, investigators are scrutinizing her role in Manzano’s death while awaiting toxicology reports to provide further clarity.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information about Colbert’s past crimes or Manzano’s final hours to come forward as the investigation continues. So far she has not been found guilty of anything related to Manzano’s death.
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