A 50-year-old Indian-origin motel manager from Karnataka, Chandramouli Nagamallaiah, was brutally beheaded by a co-worker at a Dallas motel on Wednesday, in an attack witnessed by his wife and son. The shocking murder occurred after a workplace dispute escalated into fatal violence.
Deadly dispute over workplace issue
Nagamallaiah managed the Downtown Suites motel in Dallas. The deadly encounter began with a disagreement over a broken washing machine. According to police reports and witness accounts, Nagamallaiah instructed Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, not to use the malfunctioning machine, asking another employee to translate his instructions instead of addressing Cobos-Martinez directly. This act reportedly enraged Cobos-Martinez, leading to a swift escalation.
Attack in front of family
Cobos-Martinez left the room, retrieved a machete, and repeatedly attacked Nagamallaiah. Surveillance footage and eyewitnesses confirm that Nagamallaiah’s wife and 18-year-old son watched in horror as the suspect continued the brutal assault, even as they tried desperately to intervene.
Despite their efforts, Cobos-Martinez beheaded Nagamallaiah, kicked his head into the parking lot, and placed it in a dumpster. The attacker also took Nagamallaiah's phone and key card before fleeing. Police apprehended Cobos-Martinez nearby, still wielding the bloodied weapon and the victim’s belongings.
Suspect’s criminal background and immigration status
Cobos-Martinez, a Cuban national, has a significant criminal history, including prior arrests for grand theft auto, assault, indecency with a child, carjacking, and more. Records show he was released from immigration custody earlier this year due to a lack of deportation flights to Cuba, despite an active removal order and an existing probation violation warrant in California. He is now charged with capital murder and held at Dallas County Jail without bond, with an immigration hold also in place.
Community and consulate response
The Indian Consulate in Houston and community leaders expressed grief over Nagamallaiah’s tragic death and are offering support to his family. In a statement, the Consulate said: “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.” Funeral arrangements are being made, and local Indian community members plan to gather in solidarity.
Dallas police continue to investigate the case and the circumstances leading to this horrifying attack. The murder has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora and has raised questions about workplace safety, immigration enforcement, and support systems for immigrants in the United States.
