Bourbon Street Hustler Receives 25-Year Sentence in Sports Reporter Murder Case

On Thursday, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced a significant development in the tragic case of the Kansas City sports reporter murdered in February. The woman accused of his murder has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for unrelated crimes, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation.

Details of the Incident

Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old Telemundo sports reporter, traveled to New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl but was tragically found dead in his hotel room at the Comfort Suites in Kenner. Toxicology reports revealed Xanax in his system at the time of his death.

Attorney General Murrill praised the collaborative efforts of her prosecutors and the State Police Troop NOLA in pursuing justice. She specifically acknowledged District Attorney Jason Williams and New Orleans Section Chief Daniel Smart for their exceptional work in this case. Murrill emphasized that the evidence pointed to Danette Colbert, the woman charged with Manzano’s murder, as a habitual offender who had exploited multiple tourists throughout the years.

Colbert’s Criminal History

This week, a New Orleans judge determined that 45-year-old Colbert was a habitual offender with five prior felony convictions associated with fraud, in addition to her current second-degree murder charges in Jefferson Parish. In a previous ruling from 2024, Colbert was convicted of theft, computer fraud, and illegal transmission of monetary funds. Initially sentenced to a 10-year suspended sentence, she now faces severe penalties due to her prior offenses.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Prosecutors asserted that Colbert’s original sentence was inadequate given her extensive criminal history. However, Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Nandi F. Campbell rejected their motion to adjust Colbert’s prior sentence. The Attorney General’s office subsequently filed a habitual offender bill, which Judge Campbell accepted, resulting in a 25-year sentence without parole options.

Murrill expressed sorrow over Manzano’s untimely death, stating, “I wish we could have saved the life of Adan Manzano. His family and co-workers remain in my thoughts and prayers. I’m hopeful and confident justice will be served in Jefferson Parish, where Colbert is facing charges for Manzano’s death.”