Who was Adan Manzano? Tributes pour in as Telemundo Kansas city reporter passes away while covering Super Bowl

Adan Manzano, an emerging sports correspondent and an anchor for Telemundo 39, a news channel based in Kansas City, died on February 6, 2025, while covering Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. He was 27.

Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports confirmed his passing in an official statement. They expressed deep sorrow and recognized his professionalism and community service. The network said it was cooperating with law enforcement as investigations into the circumstances of his death were ongoing.

Born in Mexico City, Manzano moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 2018 and then graduated from Kansas State University. He started his journalism career with companies like La Semana del Sur, Reyes Media Group, and Sky Sports México. He started working as a sports anchor for Telemundo 39 in April 2021.

According to Variety, Adan Manzano reported on major sporting events and covered three consecutive Super Bowls. He became a familiar face in the sports landscape of Kansas City. He covered major sporting events, interviewed top athletes, and brought engaging stories to viewers.

In addition to his work with Telemundo, Manzano was a sideline reporter for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Spanish language broadcast and also KC Current games with play-by-play commentary.

A Tragic Year for Adan Manzano’s Family as tributes pour in

Adan Manzano’s death was announced less than a year after the death of his wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd Manzano.

She died in a car crash in Topeka, Kansas, on April 11, 2024. Boyd, who taught second grade at Lowman Hill Elementary School, was driving with the couple’s 1-year-old daughter, Eleanor, who survived the crash.

In the wake of her untimely death, Boyd was mourned as a generous and nurturing teacher who left an indelible mark on her students and coworkers. Adan Manzano had been caring for their young daughter after Boyd's death.

Manzano’s death has drawn an outpouring of grief from colleagues, friends, and public figures. The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, expressed his condolences on social media, describing Manzano as “so young and full of energy.” Whereas a fellow reporter Glenn Kinley had this to say:

"They had a baby. K-State/ KC community- please, please keep that family in your prayers."

Tico Sports also honored him, recalling him as an energetic and highly respected broadcaster, a colleague who was always willing to help and was a loyal friend to many.