Authorities in Louisiana have arrested a third suspect in the February death of Telemundo sports reporter Adan Manzano, intensifying scrutiny surrounding a robbery scheme that turned fatal during Super Bowl week.

Christian Anderson, 33, was taken into custody on May 30 and accused of assisting two other suspects, Danette Colbert and Ricky White, in a coordinated effort to drug and rob Manzano, whose lifeless body was discovered at a Kenner hotel during football’s biggest weekend, as Fox News reports.

Manzano, a 27-year-old journalist based in Kansas City, Missouri, was in New Orleans covering Super Bowl LIX when he was last seen alive. He checked into the Comfort Suites in Kenner on Feb. 4 of this year. The next morning, on Feb. 5, he was found face-down on a pillow in his room, dead from the toxic combination of Xanax and alcohol, according to an autopsy report.

Dangerous encounter begins in French Quarter

Investigators believe Manzano met Danette Colbert, 48, in New Orleans’ French Quarter during the early morning hours of Feb. 5. According to Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley, security footage confirmed the two entered Manzano's hotel room together around 4:30 a.m. at the Comfort Suites in Kenner.

Colbert left the hotel room shortly after, returned approximately 30 minutes later, then exited again within 10 to 15 minutes. Manzano was not seen again on surveillance footage, marking her as the last person known to be with him before his death. One of his credit cards was later found to be missing.

Authorities quickly zeroed in on Colbert after tracing the stolen credit card’s usage. She was arrested and identified as a repeat offender with a history of targeting men in tourist areas. Described by local authorities as a “career criminal,” Colbert had recently been sentenced to 25 years in prison for similar financial and theft-related crimes, unrelated to Manzano’s case.

Man charged in fatal scheme

Ricky White, another alleged accomplice, was arrested and initially charged with simple robbery and multiple counts of fraud. As the investigation progressed, his charges were upgraded to include murder in Manzano’s death.

Investigators believe White was involved in the broader scheme, characterized by drugging victims, accessing their financial accounts, and robbing them. Police noted that Colbert’s crimes were not isolated, with evidence emerging of a targeted pattern against unsuspecting individuals, often during social encounters in nightlife settings.

The third suspect, Anderson, has now been accused of playing a behind-the-scenes role in assisting the operation. According to police, he rented the vehicle Colbert used on the day of the incident and maintained frequent communication with her after Manzano’s death.

Anderson’s alleged support role revealed

Text messages, digital evidence, and financial records helped authorities build a case against Anderson. According to a news release from Kenner Police, Anderson helped coordinate the logistical aspects of the crime, including transportation arrangements and transferring stolen assets electronically.

He was charged with multiple financial offenses, including access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, and computer fraud. He now faces a principal charge of simple robbery as well. All three suspects remain in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center as they await further legal proceedings.

During the wider investigation, police executed a search warrant at Colbert’s residence, where they recovered a firearm and illegal narcotics. While the gun was unrelated to Manzano’s death, its discovery further highlighted the scope of criminal activity connected to those accused.

Police seek other possible victims

Authorities have issued a call for any other victims to come forward. Due to the nature of the scheme, involving possibly drug-induced theft after social interactions, law enforcement recognizes that some targets may hesitate to report what happened to them.

Chief Conley emphasized the importance of speaking out, despite the sensitivity or stigma that victims might feel. “Some victims do not speak up, due to the sensitive nature of the suspect’s alleged crimes,” he said.

So far, evidence supports that those involved may have engaged in a systematic series of similar crimes over months or even years, possibly beyond Louisiana's borders, including Las Vegas. Detectives continue to search for digital and physical links to other potential cases.

Lessons to learn

1. Be cautious when forming new connections during travel. Meeting people in social settings, especially during large events like the Super Bowl, can be risky if proper precautions aren't taken. Staying in well-lit areas and avoiding bringing strangers to personal spaces can reduce vulnerability.

2. Use technology to protect your identity and finances. Enabling notifications for credit card usage, setting strong account passwords, and limiting access can help quickly detect unauthorized activity. This may hinder a thief’s ability to exploit stolen data or devices.

3. Speak up if something feels off, and don’t blame the victim. Crime can happen to any person, regardless of how careful they are. No one deserves to be harmed, and coming forward helps stop repeat offenders. Survivors and those affected should be encouraged and supported, not shamed.

Why this story matters

Manzano’s death highlights a troubling pattern of targeted criminal activity in tourist zones. It reminds the public of the dangers that lurk beneath seemingly casual encounters.

This case also brings attention to how repeat offenders can operate for years before being stopped — a call to increased vigilance and systemic prevention.