A third person has been arrested in the death of a reporter from Kansas City who was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl, Louisiana authorities announced Friday.
The Kenner, Louisiana Police Department arrested 33-year-old Christian Anderson and said he played an active role with other individuals in coordinating attacks on victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property.
Anderson is charged with being a principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, and computer fraud.
Danette Colbert and Rickey White have already been arrested and are awaiting charges of second-degree murder for their role in Adan Manzano’s death. All three suspects are in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
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 she was seen leaving the room alone later in the morning. Authorities charged her with second-degree murder in March.
Authorities said they gathered through search warrants, text message records, and digital communications that showed Anderson and Colbert communicated after Manzano’s death, including a car rented by Anderson on the day of Manzano’s death that was used by Colbert. Anderson also provided logistical support and attempted to gain money from Manzano’s stolen items.
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.