Danette Colbert: Infamous Con Artist Accused of Drugging Men Now Tied to Adan Manzano’s Death

A woman with a long history of drugging and robbing men has been arrested in connection with the suspicious death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was in New Orleans covering the Super Bowl. The suspect, 48-year-old Danette Colbert, was taken into custody after investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing her leaving Manzano’s hotel room. Authorities also allege that she used his credit cards following his death.

Colbert, known locally as the “Bourbon Street Hustler,” has a criminal record spanning more than a decade, primarily involving financial crimes and schemes targeting unsuspecting victims in New Orleans’ nightlife districts. Though she has only been formally charged with fraud-related offenses at this time, police are actively investigating whether she played a direct role in Manzano’s sudden and unexplained death.

Manzano, a well-respected sports journalist, was in the city to cover the Super Bowl when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room. His death has raised serious questions, particularly given Colbert’s past involvement in cases where men were drugged and later robbed. Authorities are now working to determine whether Manzano was similarly targeted and whether Colbert’s actions contributed to his tragic demise.

Surveillance footage has reportedly provided key evidence in the ongoing investigation into the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano. According to authorities, the video shows Danette Colbert arriving at Manzano’s hotel room with him at approximately 4:30 a.m. However, moments later, she is seen leaving the room alone. She then returns once more before finally departing again at around 6 a.m. Notably, Manzano was never seen exiting the room at any point.

Later that evening, by 9 p.m. on Thursday, Colbert was taken into custody after allegedly using Manzano’s credit cards to make purchases at various locations across the city. Law enforcement officials charged her with multiple financial crimes, including bank fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, and access device fraud, as reported by the New York Post.

While Colbert’s current charges are limited to financial offenses, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of upgrading them depending on the results of Manzano’s toxicology report. Authorities are now working to determine whether he may have been drugged—a pattern seen in Colbert’s past criminal activities—which could potentially escalate the case against her.

Authorities have confirmed that Adan Manzano’s body showed no visible signs of trauma, leaving toxicology tests as a crucial factor in determining the cause of his sudden and mysterious death. According to the Daily Beast, the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office is currently conducting these tests to assess whether Manzano may have been drugged—a possibility that aligns with the past tactics of suspect Danette Colbert.

The tragic loss of the Kansas City sports reporter is made even more heartbreaking by the personal hardships he had already endured. Just nine months ago, Manzano’s wife, Ashleigh Boyd, was killed in a devastating car crash in Topeka, Kansas. Now, with his untimely passing, the couple’s toddler daughter has been left without both parents.

As reported by the New York Post, this latest development has intensified the urgency of the investigation, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to Manzano’s death and determine whether foul play was involved.

Adan Manzano, originally from Mexico, had established himself as a rising star in the world of sports journalism, earning recognition for his in-depth coverage and passion for the game. His work focused heavily on the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that had been making history with its pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

In the days leading up to his tragic death, Manzano had been actively reporting from New Orleans, where he had the opportunity to interview some of the NFL’s biggest stars, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. His coverage of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl journey was part of a promising career that had been steadily gaining momentum.

Manzano’s sudden passing has left both the sports journalism community and his loved ones in shock, as they mourn not only the loss of a talented reporter but also the bright future that was cut short.

The arrest of Danette Colbert has reignited scrutiny over her long history of alleged criminal activity, particularly her involvement in schemes that targeted unsuspecting men in bars and casinos. Over the years, she has been accused of drugging her victims before robbing them of valuable possessions, including luxury watches, large sums of cash, and casino winnings.

Authorities in New Orleans and Las Vegas have linked Colbert to multiple incidents fitting this pattern. One particularly notable case from 2022 involved a man who claimed that Colbert had spiked his drink before making off with an astonishing haul, including £39,000 ($50,000) in cash, a £23,000 ($30,000) Rolex watch, and £8,700 ($11,000) worth of casino chips.

In another reported incident, Colbert allegedly manipulated a man into inviting her back to his hotel room, only for him to wake up hours later to find that his valuables had vanished. These incidents, along with numerous other allegations spanning more than a decade, have painted a picture of a seasoned con artist who honed her tactics in nightlife hotspots, preying on wealthy or inebriated individuals.

Now, as investigators examine her potential involvement in Adan Manzano’s death, Colbert’s past crimes are being re-evaluated under a new and more serious light.

Danette Colbert’s criminal history is not limited to theft and fraud—it also includes violent offenses. One particularly shocking incident occurred in 2014, when she was arrested after being caught using a stolen credit card at a Winn-Dixie supermarket in New Orleans.

According to reports from the Daily Mail, store employees immediately recognized her from a police-issued wanted poster and attempted to intervene. Realizing she had been identified, Colbert fled the scene before authorities could arrive. However, rather than staying away, she returned later—this time accompanied by two accomplices.

In a brazen act of retaliation, Colbert and her associates physically attacked the store manager, escalating what had initially been a financial crime into an outright assault case. This incident further solidified her reputation as a dangerous and unrepentant offender, with a pattern of not only deceiving and stealing from victims but also resorting to violence when confronted.

In July 2022, Danette Colbert was arrested in Las Vegas for yet another case involving drugging and robbery, reinforcing her reputation as a serial offender. This particular incident involved a male victim who later recounted a harrowing experience of being forcibly drugged and robbed.

According to the victim’s statement, Colbert and another woman allegedly coerced him into consuming an unidentified liquid, which quickly induced severe dizziness and disorientation. By the time he regained full awareness, he realized he had been drugged—and that his luxury Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, valued at £47,000 ($60,000), £1,200 ($1,500) in casino chips, and his credit card had all been stolen.

This case, along with numerous similar allegations, further highlights the calculated and predatory nature of Colbert’s crimes. Her tactics often targeted victims in high-stakes environments such as casinos and nightlife districts, where individuals are more vulnerable to deception. Now, with her recent arrest linked to the suspicious death of Adan Manzano, law enforcement agencies are taking a closer look at her past offenses to determine whether her pattern of drugging victims played a role in his tragic demise.

As of now, Danette Colbert has only been charged with property-related offenses in connection with the suspicious death of sports journalist Adan Manzano, according to Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley. These charges primarily relate to her alleged unauthorized use of Manzano’s credit cards following his death.

However, given Colbert’s long-standing history of targeting men—often by drugging them before robbing them—authorities are not ruling out the possibility of additional charges. Law enforcement officials are awaiting the results of Manzano’s toxicology report, which could provide critical evidence in determining whether he was drugged. If the findings align with Colbert’s known methods, investigators may consider upgrading the charges against her.

As the case unfolds, authorities are working to piece together the final hours of Manzano’s life, ensuring that if foul play was involved, justice will be served.

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley emphasized the broader implications of Danette Colbert’s arrest, highlighting the dangers posed by criminals who prey on unsuspecting victims.

“This brings to light that there are people out there that prey on others, bring them into their confidence, and then victimize them,” Conley stated, underscoring the calculated nature of such crimes. He also issued a stern warning about criminals who deliberately target major events like the Super Bowl, knowing they can exploit visitors unfamiliar with the area. These large-scale gatherings often attract individuals looking to take advantage of tourists, journalists, and other attendees, making vigilance crucial.

The sudden and tragic death of Adan Manzano has left the sports journalism community in mourning, sending shockwaves through his colleagues and friends. Widely regarded as a dedicated and talented reporter, Manzano had been making a name for himself in the industry. His colleagues at Telemundo Kansas City fondly remembered him as a “rising star” whose passion for sports reporting and promising future were tragically cut short.

As Danette Colbert remains in custody, questions continue to swirl around the suspicious circumstances of Adan Manzano’s death. While she has been formally charged with financial crimes, authorities are still working to determine whether her involvement in this case extends beyond credit card fraud and theft.

Given her long history of drugging and robbing victims, investigators are exploring the possibility that she played a direct role in Manzano’s untimely passing. The toxicology report, which remains pending, could provide crucial evidence in establishing whether he was drugged—a tactic Colbert has been accused of using numerous times in the past.

For now, law enforcement officials are pursuing every lead, determined to uncover the full truth behind what happened in Manzano’s final hours. Whether the woman known as the “Bourbon Street Hustler” was responsible for more than just financial crimes this time remains a central question in the ongoing investigation.