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Authorities Make Big Arrest In Death Of Super Bowl 59 Reporter

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 6, 2025 5:05 PM ET

One of the biggest tragedies to occur in the city of New Orleans during Super Bowl week was the sudden death of NFL reporter Adan Manzano.

An investigation revealed that he was likely drugged and robbed prior to his death, and authorities have been working hard to find the culprits. Several weeks ago Danette Colbert was arrested and charged with the crime, but now it appears that someone who may have worked with her on the crime is going to face charges too.

According to the Associated Press, 34-year-old Rickey White has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the tragedy. White was previously arrested in March on robbery and fraud charges relating to Manzano's death.

White's attorney Kevin Boshea told the Associated Press that he was unaware of the charge but asserted that his client is innocent of all charges.

“I don’t think he’s guilty of the other crimes, so how can he be guilty of murder?” Boshea told the outlet.

Second suspect charged with murder in death of Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano https://t.co/G2FfoYl4jL pic.twitter.com/lDabaqMmHr
— New York Post (@nypost) May 6, 2025

Manzano was a reporter for Telemundo in Kansas City and covered the Chiefs for the network. He was in New Orleans the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX.

But on February 5, Manzano was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner. Security footage from the hotel would show that a woman was with Manzano the final time he was seen alive and exited the room with him still in it. Manzano's death was ruled to be the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol.

The woman was reportedly identified as Danette Colbert, who is alleged to have a history of doing exactly what was done to Manzano.

The degree to which White was involved is not public at this time, but Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said back in March that he was linked to Colbert based on “correspondence and information where they were going back and forth." Conley said that authorities believe they were "working hand-in-hand in concert with each other."

The New York Post noted that in Louisiana, a defendant can be charged with second-degree murder for distributing drugs that either cause a death or commit certain crimes.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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