Adan Manzano’s love story with Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd was one of devotion, ambition, and tragic loss. Their journey began in Topeka, Kansas, where Manzano had relocated from Mexico City to pursue his education at Kansas State University. Ashleigh, a cheerful and compassionate second-grade teacher at Lowman Hill Elementary School, was known for her infectious smile and ability to brighten any room she walked into.
The young family, which included their daughter, Eleanor, was full of promise. Despite Manzano’s demanding career as a sports reporter, he made sure to spend as much time as possible with Ashleigh and their baby girl.
Who Was Adan Manzano’s Wife? All About Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd and Their Daughter, Eleanor
Adan Manzano was married to his wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd, a 24-year-old second-grade teacher, who tragically died in a car crash on April 11, 2024, in Topeka, Kansas. They had a daughter, Eleanor, who was 15 months old at the time of Ashleigh’s passing and was seriously injured in the accident. Less than a year later, on February 5, 2025, Manzano himself passed away at the age of 27 while covering the Super Bowl in New Orleans, leaving Eleanor orphaned.
Adan and Ashleigh’s life together was filled with love and laughter, but tragedy struck on April 11, 2024. Ashleigh, just 24 years old, was driving through southwest Shawnee County when a devastating car crash took her life. She had Eleanor in the car with her, and while the toddler survived, she suffered significant injuries. The news of Ashleigh’s death sent shockwaves through their community, especially at Topeka Public Schools, where students and colleagues mourned the loss of a beloved teacher. Her obituary described her as a ray of sunshine, a sentiment echoed by friends, family, and even strangers who had been touched by her kindness.
Manzano was shattered. In the months following Ashleigh’s passing, he continued his work with Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, but he carried his grief with him everywhere. He frequently posted tributes to his wife Ashleigh on social media, keeping her memory alive. His Instagram bio bore a simple but powerful dedication: “Always in my heart, Ashleigh Boyd.” Despite the pain, he poured himself into his career, covering the Kansas City Chiefs and Sporting Kansas City while also taking on Big 12 basketball reporting. His passion for sports and storytelling never wavered, and by the start of the 2024 NFL season, he had joined the Chiefs’ television crew as a sideline reporter.
Just as Manzano was beginning to find a rhythm in his new reality, fate dealt another cruel blow. On February 5, 2025, while in New Orleans covering Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, he was found dead in his hotel room. He was only 27 years old.
The details surrounding his death remain unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation. News of his passing sent shockwaves through the sports journalism world, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, fans, and community members. Telemundo Kansas City described him as a “true professional and a rising star,” while Tico Sports called him a “devoted father, a helpful colleague, and a loyal friend.”
In the wake of Manzano’s death, his final Facebook post gained heartbreaking significance. It was a photo of him, Ashleigh, and Eleanor, taken in January 2024, just months before Ashleigh’s fatal accident. The picture captured a moment of happiness, a family celebrating their daughter’s first birthday, unaware of the tragedies that lay ahead. Now, little Eleanor, who was just 15 months old when her mother died, is left orphaned.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas took to social media to express his condolences, calling Manzano “so young and full of energy, and truly covered almost every event in the community.” His sudden loss was deeply felt, not just among sports fans but within the Latino community, where he had worked tirelessly to bring the excitement of football to Spanish-speaking audiences. Manzano had often spoken about the importance of making American football more accessible to Hispanic fans, believing there was room for the sport to grow within the community.
The grief surrounding the Manzano family’s story is immeasurable. In less than a year, a young girl lost both of her parents, a school lost a cherished teacher, and the sports world lost a promising journalist. The tragedy is compounded by the unknown circumstances of Manzano’s death, leaving family and friends searching for answers. But amid the sorrow, his legacy remains. He was a man who loved deeply—his wife, his daughter, his community, and his craft. And now, his name will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.
