Two suspects, Danette Colbert, 48, and Rickey White, 34, have been linked to the death of sports reporter Adan Manzano, 27, who was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, on February 5, before the Super Bowl. Investigations revealed that Colbert and White had a history of working together on schemes involving drugging individuals to steal from them. According to The Guardian, the pair had been collaborating on such schemes for years.
Colbert's arrest revealed a series of text messages suggesting a pattern of theft. Authorities believe Colbert, charged with second-degree murder, gave Manzano a fatal mix of alcohol and Xanax. Investigators found messages indicating Colbert and White discussed the personal identification numbers of others' financial accounts. One message included a screenshot of an ATM balance exceeding $95,000. The terms "Knock outs" and "KO" appeared in the texts, which law enforcement interpreted as referring to the use of pharmaceuticals and alcohol for robbery, as detailed in the report from NCJA.
Colbert and White are accused of targeting victims across multiple locations, including Las Vegas, by luring them with food or drinks before incapacitating them. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams described their actions as "This is a national, multijurisdictional crime spree." An investigation uncovered multiple victims, including Manzano, whose death was linked to Xanax, alcohol, and positional asphyxia, though the manner remains under "uncertain circumstances," as stated by ABC 30. Colbert was initially charged with theft and fraud after police found Manzano’s belongings in her home but now faces a second-degree murder charge. Authorities also cited her connection to White and past domestic violence accusations. The case remains under investigation.
