Authorities in Louisiana have charged a second person with second-degree murder in the death of a reporter from Kansas City who was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl.
The Kenner Police Department said it obtained an arrest warrant for Rickey White and charged him with Adan Manzano’s death.
White has been in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center since he was arrested at a La Quinta Inn in Hollywood, Florida, on March 14 by U.S. Marshals and the Hollywood Police Department. White was previously charged with simple robbery, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud.
Danette Colbert was arrested after she was seen on video at the Kenner Comfort Suites hotel with Manzano at around 5 a.m. the day of his death on Feb. 5 and was seen leaving the room alone later in the morning. Authorities charged her with second-degree murder in March.
Manzano died from the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol intoxication, along with positional asphyxia, and the manner of death is still undetermined. He was found face down on a pillow, and his blood alcohol level was .232, almost three times the legal amount in the state of Louisiana.
Manzano’s cellphone and credit card were found during a search of Colbert’s residence in Slidell, and the credit card was used fraudulently at several New Orleans area stores. Colbert also faces a state felony charge of possession of a stolen firearm that was also found during that search, but authorities have said they didn’t think it relates to Manzano’s case.
Authorities said no further comments will be made in the case.