A 50-year-old Indian-origin man, Chandramouli Nagamallaiah, was brutally beheaded at a Dallas motel on September 10, 2025, in front of his wife and son. The suspect, 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, has been arrested and charged with capital murder. The gruesome incident reportedly stemmed from an argument over a broken washing machine.

The attack occurred at the Downtown Suites motel on Samuell Boulevard, east of Downtown Dallas. According to an arrest affidavit, Nagamallaiah had told Cobos-Martinez and a female colleague not to use a washing machine that was already broken. Cobos-Martinez allegedly became upset because Nagamallaiah relayed the message through the female colleague, who acted as a translator, rather than addressing him directly.

Video evidence cited in the affidavit shows Cobos-Martinez leaving the room, pulling a machete "from his person," and attacking Nagamallaiah. A witness, another motel employee, told police that Cobos-Martinez chased Nagamallaiah from room 108 all the way to the office, as Nagamallaiah was trying to get into the office to tell his family. Nagamallaiah ran screaming toward the motel office where his wife and son were present.

The affidavit states that Nagamallaiah's wife and son, who were in the front office, rushed outside and tried to intervene. The suspect pushed them away several times and continued his assault. Cobos-Martinez then repeatedly hacked at Nagamallaiah until he was decapitated. CCTV footage showed the suspect kicking the victim's head into the parking lot twice before carrying it to a dumpster.

Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel arriving at the scene spotted Cobos-Martinez still carrying the machete and covered in blood. They followed him until police arrived and arrested him. During interrogation, Cobos-Martinez allegedly admitted to the crime. He is now being held at Dallas County Jail on a capital murder charge, with records also showing an immigration hold. Jail records show he is being held without bond. According to records, Cobos-Martinez has a criminal history, including arrests for auto theft in Florida, as well as charges of assault and indecency with a child in Houston.

The killing has left the local Indian American community in shock. In Dallas-area Indian American circles, the tragedy has sparked conversations about the risks faced by immigrants working in vulnerable industries such as motels.

Friends, family and the local Indian community are coming together to support Nagamallaiah's family. A fundraiser has been set up to help cover funeral expenses, immediate living costs, and his son's college education. Funeral services for Nagamallaiah are scheduled for Saturday.