Indian-Origin Man Beheaded in the US in Front of Family; Accused Arrested
The accused was identified as Yordanis Cobos-Martinez (L)
A quiet morning at a Dallas motel turned into a scene of unimaginable horror this week, leaving a family shattered and a community in search of answers.
The tragedy unfolded on September 10th at the Downtown Suites motel. According to police, a routine workplace dispute over a broken washing machine escalated into a brutal, fatal attack. Chandra Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old motel manager originally from India, was allegedly beheaded by a co-worker in front of his own wife and son.
Authorities state that Nagamallaiah had asked 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez not to use the malfunctioning appliance. The request, which was translated by another employee, apparently angered Cobos-Martinez. He left and returned armed with a machete.
🚨 Dallas County, TX: Yesterday, Yordanis Cobos-Martinez was arrested for Capital Murder in the death of Chandra Nagamallaiah.
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) September 11, 2025
He has an immigration detainer hold.
Cobos-Martinez, who was working at a motel, is accused of decapitating Nagamallaiah with a machete after… pic.twitter.com/MD8SYxVomh
What followed was a vicious assault in the motel’s parking lot. Nagamallaiah, despite trying to flee, was stabbed multiple times. His wife and 18-year-old son witnessed the attack and tried to intervene but were pushed aside. Police allege that Cobos-Martinez then decapitated Nagamallaiah. Disturbing video footage from the scene shows the suspect carrying the victim’s severed head before discarding it in a dumpster.
Cobos-Martinez was arrested shortly after, still covered in blood and in possession of the weapon. He has been charged with capital murder.
The case has taken another troubling turn with the revelation of the suspect’s background. Court records indicate Cobos-Martinez is a Cuban national with an immigration detainer from federal authorities. His past includes serious prior arrests in Texas and California, including charges for indecency with a child and assault.
The Indian Consulate has confirmed it is providing assistance to Nagamallaiah’s grieving family and is closely following the investigation.
Consulate General of India, Houston, condoles the tragic death of Mr. Chandra Nagamallaiah, an Indian National, killed brutally at his workplace in Dallas, Tx.
— India in Houston (@cgihou) September 11, 2025
We are in touch with the family and offering all possible assistance. The accused is in the custody of Dallas Police.…
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local immigrant community, raising profound concerns about safety and justice.
