A 50-year-old Indian national, Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, was brutally murdered and beheaded in a horrifying machete attack at a Dallas motel where he worked as a manager. The killing occurred in front of his wife and teenage son, reportedly following a dispute with a co-worker over a malfunctioning washing machine.
The incident unfolded at the Downtown Suites Motel located off Interstate 30 near Tenison Golf Course. According to Dallas Police, the suspect identified as Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37 became enraged after Nagamallaiah told him not to use a broken washing machine. Because Cobos-Martinez speaks only Spanish, the instructions were relayed through a female colleague, which the suspect allegedly found offensive.
Shortly afterward, Cobos-Martinez pulled a machete from his clothing, according to the arrest affidavit, and launched a vicious and sustained attack. Security footage captured Nagamallaiah running through the motel’s parking lot while screaming for help, with the suspect chasing him down.
Despite efforts by his wife and 18-year-old son to intervene, Cobos-Martinez reportedly pushed them away and continued attacking Nagamallaiah until he was decapitated. The affidavit further states that the suspect then kicked the severed head into the parking lot and carried it to a dumpster.
Blood-Soaked Suspect Tracked by First Responders, Arrested Nearby
First responders from Dallas Fire-Rescue, who were nearby, witnessed the aftermath and followed the suspect who was covered in blood and still holding the machete until police arrived and took him into custody a block away. Officers recovered the weapon, the victim’s cellphone, and a motel key card from him.
Cobos-Martinez has since admitted to the killing, police confirmed. He now faces a charge of capital murder and is being held without bond at the Dallas County Jail. An immigration detainer has also been placed on him.
Authorities revealed that the suspect, a Cuban national, has a violent criminal history, including past arrests in Houston, Florida, and California for assault and auto theft. He had been released from federal immigration custody in January after Cuba declined to take him back, despite a removal order in place.
The Consulate General of India in Houston expressed its condolences and confirmed support for the grieving family. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, they said, “Consulate General of India, Houston, condoles the tragic death of Mr. Chandra Nagamallaiah, an Indian National, killed brutally at his workplace in Dallas, Tx. We are in touch with the family and offering all possible assistance. The accused is in the custody of Dallas Police. We are following up on the matter closely.”
Victim Originated From Kerala
Nagamallaiah, originally from Karnataka, India, had been managing the Downtown Suites for several years. He was remembered by friends and loved ones as a kind-hearted, hardworking family man.
In response to the tragedy, a fundraising campaign has been launched to support his wife and son, covering funeral costs, living expenses, and the son’s higher education. His funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
While the motive behind the killing remains under investigation, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of premeditation. If convicted, Cobos-Martinez could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty under Texas law.
