Danette Colbert mugshot, the ‘Bourbon Street Hustler’ to face murder charge in death of Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano
Danette Colbert. Credit : Kenner Police
NEED TO KNOW
Danette Colbert — who is accused of murdering a Super Bowl journalist in Louisiana earlier this year — has been sentenced to 25 years for a previous conviction
"The evidence was overwhelming that this woman was a serial fraudster and took advantage of multiple tourists and innocent people over many years," the Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's office said in a Facebook post on Thursday, May 15
Colbert is facing a second-degree murder charge following the death of reporter Adan Manzano, 27, on Feb. 5
A woman in Louisiana accused of murdering a TV reporter who was in town to cover the Super Bowl has been sentenced to 25 years for a prior unrelated case, authorities have said.
On Thursday, May 15, the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General, Liz Murrill, confirmed Danette Colbert — the "serial fraudster" connected to 27-year-old Adan Manzano's death in February — had been sentenced for a previous unrelated conviction that was originally suspended, per a Facebook post.
Colbert, 48, had previously been handed a suspended sentence by an Orleans Parish judge last year "after being convicted of theft and fraud charges," according to the Associated Press.
"The evidence was overwhelming that this woman was a serial fraudster and took advantage of multiple tourists and innocent people over many years in the French Quarter," the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General's Facebook post stated.
Danette Colbert
Danette Colbert. Kenner Police Department
The sentencing comes after Manzano, a reporter for Telemundo, was found dead in a hotel room in Kenner, La., on Feb. 5, days before the Super Bowl in nearby New Orleans.
Colbert was arrested in connection with his death, with police alleging she had Manzano’s credit card and cell phone.
She was later charged with second-degree murder, as police alleged she had drugged Manzano, whose death was the result of the combined toxic effects of alcohol and Xanax.
"I wish we could have saved the life of Adam Manzano, "The Office of the Louisiana Attorney General said in Thursday's Facebook post. "His family and co-workers remain in my thoughts and prayers. I’m hopeful and confident justice will be served in Jefferson Parish as well, where Colbert is also facing charges of second-degree murder for Manzano’s death."
Police previously alleged during a Feb. 7 press conference that Colbert was a "career criminal" who has a history of drugging allegations, PEOPLE previously reported.
Adan Manzano on Telemundo Kansas City
Adan Manzano. Adan Manzano/TelemundoKC/Instagram
Kenner, La., police Chief Keith Conley admitted Kenner police were not previously familiar with Colbert but said New Orleans investigators were.
"She was found quite frequently in the French Quarter," Conley said. "And she's known for these fraud schemes."
"She plays a confidence game, she's definitely a career criminal," the officer claimed.
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Police previously claimed that hotel security footage showed Colbert and Manzano going to his room at around 4:30 a.m. local time on Feb. 5, before she allegedly left the room alone later that morning. Manzano was not seen on security camera footage again after entering the room. Police also alleged the suspect had an accomplice, Rickey White.
White, 34, has also since been charged with second-degree murder in the case, AP reported, citing Kenner police. The suspect was arrested in Florida in March on robbery and fraud charges, before being extradited to Louisiana, the news agency stated.
Adan Manzano; Danette Colbert mugshot
Adan Manzano on Telemundo Kansas City
Manzano, who was part of the Kansas City Chiefs TV crew for Telemundo KC, was the father of a toddler daughter.
“Adan was an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work,” Telemundo KC said of their former colleague, as previously reported. “We will deeply miss Adan, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community."
Colbert’s attorney Jerome Matthews, as well as her lawyer in the second-degree murder case, Stavros Panagoulopoulos, didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment. PEOPLE has also reached out to the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General for additional updates.