New Orleans, Louisiana – A tragic incident unfolded in New Orleans as sports reporter Adan Manzano was found dead in his hotel room while covering Super Bowl LIX. The suspect in his murder, Danette Colbert, a “career criminal” with a history of fraud schemes, has been charged with second-degree murder, according to the Kenner Police.
Colbert, known for her criminal activities in New Orleans, is accused of drugging and robbing her victims. One of her previous victims, David Butler, testified that she drugged and robbed him more than three years ago. Evidence suggests that she and an associate commonly use substances like Xanax to incapacitate their victims.
As per the Jefferson Parish Coroner, Manzano’s cause of death was linked to the combined effects of Xanax and alcohol. Detectives believe that Colbert drugged Manzano to steal from him while he was unconscious. Colbert has a history of committing financial crimes, including allegations of theft, credit card fraud, and drugging men to rob them.
Despite being found guilty of theft and fraud in the past, Colbert received a lenient sentence that allowed her to avoid jail time. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill plans to seek an increase in Colbert’s sentence under the habitual offender statute due to the severity of her crimes. Butler, another victim of Colbert, expressed gratitude for the Attorney General’s intervention and raised concerns about the justice system failing to hold repeat offenders accountable.
Colbert’s criminal activities extend beyond New Orleans, with records showing her involvement in felony charges in Las Vegas as well. However, the charges were dismissed as the victims were unwilling to testify. Colbert’s modus operandi involved drugging men in hotel rooms and stealing from them, mirroring the tragic fate that befell Manzano.
Butler, who suffered significant financial losses at the hands of Colbert, recounts his harrowing experience of being drugged and robbed by her. Despite reporting the incident to the authorities, he faced skepticism and reluctance from law enforcement to pursue the case seriously. The emotional and physical trauma inflicted on Butler serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminals like Colbert.
As the case unfolds, a spotlight is cast on the failures of the justice system to effectively deal with repeat offenders and ensure the safety of the public. The tragic loss of Manzano underscores the need for accountability and reform within the criminal justice system to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.