A woman referred to as the “Bourbon Street Hustler” has been found guilty of negligent homicide in connection with the death of Adam Manzano, a Telemundo reporter who was in Louisiana to cover the Super Bowl.
Denette Colbert, 49, was convicted alongside her accomplice Rickey White, 35, by a Louisiana jury on Thursday. They were charged following the death of Manzano, 27, at a hotel in Kenner, just outside of New Orleans, as reported by the Jefferson Parish district attorney’s office.
While both faced manslaughter charges, the jury concluded that only Colbert was guilty of negligent homicide after deliberating for just over five hours.
Negligent homicide can lead to a prison sentence of up to 40 years, while racketeering carries a heavier penalty of up to 50 years in Louisiana, according to prosecutors.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I wish I had better news, but unfortunately, there’s nothing anyone here can do to bring Adan Manzano back,” Assistant District Attorney Brendan Bowen told the jurors in his closing remarks, urging a conviction.
He added, “What you can do is ensure his death has meaning. Let him be the last victim of Rickey White and Danette Colbert.”
Manzano, who worked for Telemundo Kansas City, tragically died on February 5, 2025, found lying face down on a pillow, having suffocated after consuming alcohol and Xanax.
This incident followed a year after the loss of his wife in a car accident, leaving the couple’s young daughter behind.
Surveillance footage captured Colbert and Manzano entering a Comfort Suites hotel around 5 a.m. that day. Over the next few hours, the video showed Colbert leaving the room, returning, and then leaving again.
Manzano never came out and was later discovered dead that night, with his phone and credit card missing. Those items were later used for fraudulent transactions in nearby stores, as noted by Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
The following day, Colbert was arrested after authorities found the stolen card and phone at her home, alongside illegal drugs and a firearm.
Colbert and White had a history of engaging in criminal activities, recruiting victims in the French Quarter by pretending to offer companionship before drugging and robbing them.
Locals had referred to Colbert as the “Bourbon Street Hustler,” according to previous reports.
Legal documents revealed that Colbert was pretending to be a “party girl” while White, who went by “King Ricky,” acted as her protector and sought out victims.
Prosecutors claimed they targeted Manzano that night, presenting evidence of text messages between Colbert, White, and another accomplice, Christian Anderson, discussing their plans to incapacitate and rob individuals.
Anderson, 35, cooperated with the prosecution and testified against Colbert and White in exchange for reduced charges related to robbery and fraud. He accepted a plea deal and received a six-year prison sentence.
Colbert’s defense attorney, Stavros Panagoulopoulos, expressed disappointment over the racketeering conviction but viewed the outcome of the negligent homicide charge as a minor victory. He intends to appeal the ruling, as reported by news outlets.
Sentencing for Colbert and White is scheduled to take place later in September, according to the district attorney’s office.
