BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A man arrested in South Florida in connection with the death of Kansas City Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano is being extradited to New Orleans, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Investigators said Rickey White, 34, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Hollywood last week and is now being sent back to Louisiana to face charges.
Investigators believe White and 48-year-old Danette Colbert worked together to rob Manzano, who was found dead in his New Orleans hotel room on Feb. 5 while covering the Super Bowl.
Manzano’s death was attributed to a combination of alcohol, Xanax, and positional asphyxia, according to Jefferson Parish Coroner Jerry Santanovich.
His blood alcohol level was .232 — three times the legal limit — and police believe he was drugged so Colbert could steal from him.
Authorities say Colbert was the last person seen with Manzano and later used his credit card to make multiple purchases. Investigators found Xanax at her home and Manzano’s medical records showed no prescriptions for the drug.
Jail records show Colbert is facing a second-degree murder charge, while both she and White are also charged with simple robbery, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud in connection with the case.
Authorities have not disclosed White’s movements after the robbery or why he was in South Florida.
As of Wednesday, he remains at the Broward Main Jail before his extradition to Louisiana.
