LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The lady arrested in reference to a sports activities reporter’s dying exterior New Orleans has an lively warrant in Las Vegas and confronted related accusations involving lodge room thefts, in keeping with paperwork the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained.
Danette Colbert, 48, faces 4 felony expenses as a part of the investigation into the dying of Telemundo Kansas Metropolis journalist Adan Manzano, 27, police stated. Police in Kennar, Louisiana, discovered Manzano’s physique inside a lodge room on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Manzano was in Louisiana to cowl the Tremendous Bowl. Officers stated video exhibits Colbert and Manzano collectively about an hour earlier than his dying. Afterward, police allege Colbert stole one among Manzano’s bank cards.
“She’s definitely a career criminal,” Police Chief Keith Conley stated. “They discovered that a credit card was missing, it was the same credit card that was used to check into the hotel as well as a cell phone.”
This picture supplied by Telemundo Kansas Metropolis exhibits tv reporter Adan Manzano, who was discovered useless in his lodge room Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 whereas visiting New Orleans to cowl the Tremendous Bowl. (Telemundo Kansas Metropolis by way of AP)
Police suspect Manzano might have been drugged earlier than his dying.
Colbert confronted two prison circumstances in Las Vegas in 2022 involving expenses of grand larceny and administering a drug to help within the fee of a felony, information stated.
In a single case, a person instructed police he met Colbert at a bar on the Wynn Las Vegas. He stated the subsequent morning he woke as much as blood throughout his face and $100,000 of cash and valuables lacking.
In that case, Colbert allegedly stole $50,000 in money, $11,000 in on line casino chips and different objects, together with a $30,000 Rolex watch, paperwork stated. Police additionally obtained video, which they stated confirmed Colbert leaving the room with the person’s bag.
“This brings to light that there are people out there that prey on other people, bring them into their confidence and victimize them,” Conley stated about Colbert’s previous allegations.
FILE – The Wynn Las Vegas resort stands over the Las Vegas Strip, July 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photograph/Ty ONeil, File)
Prosecutors dismissed each circumstances after Colbert’s alleged victims declined to testify, her legal professional instructed the Related Press. Data present prosecutors dismissed each circumstances in October 2022.
That very same yr, police arrested Colbert on expenses of dashing and aggressive driving, information stated. She failed to look for a January 2023 listening to and a choose points a bench warrant for her arrest. The warrant remained lively as of Tuesday and Colbert owed a $305 positive, information stated.
It was not instantly clear when Colbert left Las Vegas. Police in Louisiana arrested her Friday, Feb. 7 and recognized her as a Louisiana resident.
Police stated the division was awaiting toxicology outcomes to find out if Manzano’s dying was a murder and if extra expenses might be forthcoming.
Manzano misplaced his spouse final yr in a automobile crash and was elevating their 2-year-old daughter as a single father, Telemundo Kansas Metropolis Common Supervisor Steve Downing instructed the Related Press.
Manzano’s household began a GoFundMe to assist cowl funeral prices. As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe had raised practically $7,000 of its $25,000 aim.
