Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old sports anchor in Kansas City, has died while covering the Chiefs at the Super Bowl in New Orleans amid growing suspicion of foul play.
Manzano died on Wednesday, according to his outlet, Telemundo KC.
The cause was being determined in an autopsy, NOLA.com reported, noting through authorities that he died in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, near New Orleans.
“Adan was so young and full of energy, and truly covered almost every event in the community,” Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas wrote on X. “So very sad to see this news. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
The Spanish-language station, which began employing Manzano nearly four years ago as a freelance sports anchor, said it was cooperating with police in its investigation.
Cops may have gotten a break Friday, arresting a woman who was caught allegedly using Manzano’s credit card and has an arrest history of alleged credit card fraud and drugging men, Fox8 reported. She was also seen on surveillance video with Manzano and leaving his hotel room, investigators said.
As of Friday afternoon, she faces only fraud and theft charges, a Kenner police spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost in an email.
“This is still an active investigation,” the spokesperson said, adding that there “still remains a possibility of additional charges.”
In a statement, Telemundo remembered Manzano as an “exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work.”
The network continued, “We will deeply miss Adan, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community.”
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Manzano was scheduled to work the sideline for the game between the Chiefs and Eagles on Tico Sports’ radio broadcast, WWNO reported.
Kansas City-based Tico mourned the loss of its colleague in an announcement on its website. “He was an enthusiastic and energetic team player who was well liked and respected,” the statement read. “Adan was a devoted father to his young daughter, a helpful colleague, and loyal friend.”
Manzano is survived by his toddler daughter, Eleanor. His wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd, died in a car crash less than a year ago.