Suspect in Death of Super Bowl Reporter Adan Manzano, 27, Arrested – Details & Photos

A journalist on the biggest assignment of his life never made it to the game. He was discovered unresponsive in his hotel room, and police say a woman with a troubling past is the main suspect.

A Louisiana woman with a history of drugging men and stealing their credit cards is now in police custody after a TV reporter was found unresponsive in his New Orleans hotel room.

Adan Manzano, 27, had traveled to the city to cover the highly anticipated Super Bowl for Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports—a career milestone he had long dreamed of. But that dream was tragically cut short.

According to Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley, hotel security footage captured Danette Colbert entering Manzanos room at 4:35 a.m. on Wednesday.

When detectives searched the room, they found Manzanos credit card missing. Authorities later tracked transactions made with the stolen card at multiple stores across New Orleans.

In his statement, Conley added that Colbert has been “charged with property crimes, including fraud and theft-related offenses,” though “this investigation remains ongoing.”

Its still unclear how Manzano died as authorities are yet to establish the exact cause. “You asked if this was a homicide, I dont know where its going to end up. Were going to let the evidence lead us to the end result and not speculate,” Conley said.

In a previous report released by the Jefferson Parish Coroners office on Thursday, February 7, Manzano was said to have died at a Kenner hotel. “There were no obvious signs of trauma to his body,” the office added. Following the autopsy, his official cause of death is still on hold until further tests are carried out.

KGKC Telemundo Kansas City shared that Manzano was covering the Super Bowl LIX for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports. The media house added, “We are cooperating with authorities as they investigate this tragic event.”

They also spoke proudly of Manzano, “Adam was an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work. We will deeply miss Adam, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community [sic].”

Adan Manzano Aguilar covering the Super Bowl LVII with his colleagues, from a post dated February 15, 2023 | Source: Instagram/adanmanzanoa

The media company sent their condolences and thoughts to Manzanos family, loved ones, and friends. His colleagues, who described him as helpful, also liked and respected him while his friends termed him as loyal.

Adan Manzano was recognized for his sideline reporting on the Kansas City Chiefs Spanish-language broadcasts and as the play-by-play announcer for the KC Current. “He will be greatly missed by our TICO Family and will live on in our hearts and memories,” KGKC Telemundo Kansas City said in a touching statement.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also paid tribute to the broadcast journalist, writing, “Adan was so young and full of energy, and truly covered almost every event in the community. So very sad to see this news. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”

Additionally, Steve Downing, general manager of KGKC, shared that Manzano was thrilled at the prospect of covering a historic event like the potential threepeat at the Super Bowl. He mourned his loss, saying Manzano was a rising star with a bright future.

Manzano was deeply passionate about sports and his community, which he covered with dedication. His commitment was evident as he was Telemundo Kansas Citys only journalist in New Orleans covering the big game.

Super Bowl LIX was the sports journalists third consecutive season covering the Super Bowl for Telemundo KC. Downing is now relying on their media house partnership with TICO Sports for continued broadcast.

“He would have wanted us to keep going and do our best to bring all the color, all the excitement, all that the Super Bowl means to Kansas City,” shared Downing.

A LinkedIn profile that appears to be Manzanos shows that he had worked as a freelance sports anchor at KBKC since 2021. He was proud of bringing sports to people from different backgrounds and was excited to cover the Kansas City Currents and celebrated their fast growth in Mexico.

“Bringing that to the Spanish community because the Hispanic and Latinos- theyve supported soccer culturally and historically, but theres always a space where football can be the favorite sport. Thats why I think its important,” he enthused.

Manzano believed that providing Spanish-speaking listeners with the game in their native language made it easier for them to connect with the sport. He emphasized that the unique phrasing, rhythm, and tone of voice used during key moments enhance their enjoyment of the game and help bring the experience to life for fans.

His reach extended far beyond Kansas City, with listeners from places like Spain and Brazil also tuning in and appreciating the broadcast in their own language.

Adan Manzano covering the Super Bowl LVIII, from a post dated February 17, 2024 | Source: Instagram/adanmanzanoa

In 2023, Manzano covered the Super Bowl in the broadcast booth. However, in 2024, he was upgraded to a sideline reporter. “I used to dream about this but I never expected that it was going to come that soon. Its just a blessing,” he said.

Manzano was excited to return to the Super Bowl in 2025. His last Instagram post was about the big upcoming game.

He wrote, “Opening Night officially kicks off Super Bowl LIX week! 🌟 The teams, the excitement and all the stories surrounding this big event where the Chiefs seek the coveted tri-championship start here. Dont miss any details of this great event by Telemundo Kansas City! 🔥🏆.”

As for his personal life, the sports journalist was a devoted father to his young daughter, Eleanor. Sadly, Eleanor has now lost both her parents as her mother, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd Manzano-Aguilar, died on April 11, 2024, at the age of 24.

She was involved in a multiple-vehicle crash southwest of Topeka. An infant passenger in the car with her was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries as well as the driver of the other car.

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Boyd was a dedicated second-grade teacher at Lowman Hill Elementary School, who was cherished by students, parents, and the staff. She also held membership at the Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) and was an active participant.

Manzanos Instagram description has a special message for his late wife, which reads, “Always in my heart @ashleighboyd37 ❤️🕊.” The sports journalists wife also adored him and was so proud of him when he went from airing from the broadcast booth to a sideline reporter at the Super Bowl in 2024.

“He has worked so hard at this. Theres been times when hes had two or three jobs to make ends meet. And now knowing he gets to go out there and do what he loves and what hes good at, its just the best feelings [sic] ever,” she shared.

At home, Manzanos wife and daughter enjoyed racing to see who could spot him first on the TV screens while he broadcasted the game live.

Manzano cherished his baby girl, who was only 15 months old when her mother died. Even when his daughter was not in the field with him, he had a special way of including her.

When he attended the first media game hosted by Kansas City Current, he posted a collage of pictures, with one shot showing him in a jersey with Eleanors name written on the back. He captioned the post, “There is this girl who stole my heart and something tells me I am going to love her forever🎀.”

It is now heartbreaking that a young girl has lost both her parents. The entire sports community that knew Manzano is also mourning his loss while honoring his hard work and dedication to the game and profession.

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