Dallas, Texas – A horrific act of violence has shaken the Dallas community following the brutal beheading of Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old Indian national and motel manager, by his co-worker, Yordanis Cobos-Martinez. The shocking incident, which occurred on the morning of September 10, 2025, at the Downtown Suites motel, has drawn widespread condemnation and intensified discussions around immigration policies and the handling of individuals with violent criminal histories. This tragic event is among the top news stories currently trending across Texas.
A Dispute Over a Washing Machine Escalates to Grisly Murder
The violence erupted from a seemingly minor workplace dispute. According to an arrest affidavit, Nagamallaiah, originally from Karnataka, India, and known to friends and colleagues as “Bob,” had instructed Cobos-Martinez and a female co-worker not to use a broken washing machine while they were cleaning a room. Witnesses reported that Nagamallaiah asked the female co-worker to translate his instructions to Cobos-Martinez, a Cuban national. This perceived slight infuriated Cobos-Martinez, who then retrieved a machete.
The situation rapidly devolved into a frenzied attack. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Cobos-Martinez leaving the room, arming himself with the machete, and then chasing Nagamallaiah. Despite Nagamallaiah’s attempts to flee towards the motel office, where his wife and 18-year-old son were present, Cobos-Martinez pursued and repeatedly struck him. In a chilling display of brutality witnessed by his family, Cobos-Martinez continued his assault until Nagamallaiah was decapitated. The affidavit details that Cobos-Martinez then kicked the victim’s severed head into the parking lot before placing it in a dumpster. He also took Nagamallaiah’s key card and cell phone from his pockets.
Perpetrator’s Troubled Past and Immigration Status
Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, has a long and disturbing criminal record, including convictions for child sex abuse, grand theft of a motor vehicle, false imprisonment, carjacking, auto theft, and aggravated assault. Despite a past final order of removal from the United States, Cobos-Martinez had been released from ICE custody on January 13, 2025, under an Order of Supervision. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials stated that his release was due to Cuba’s refusal to repatriate him because of his criminal history, highlighting that deportation flights to Cuba were not feasible at the time.
This release has become a focal point of criticism. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin stated that the “gruesome, savage slaying” was “completely preventable” had the individual not been released. She emphasized that such cases underscore the need for stricter policies regarding criminal illegal aliens. Cobos-Martinez is currently being held in Dallas County Jail without bond on a capital murder charge, and an immigration detainer has been lodged against him.
Community Mourns, Demands Answers
Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, who had been managing the Downtown Suites motel for several years, is remembered by his community as a hardworking and devoted family man. His tragic death has sent shockwaves through the Indian-American community in Texas. A fundraiser launched to support Nagamallaiah’s grieving wife, Nisha, and his 18-year-old son, Gaurav, has garnered significant attention and raised nearly $200,000 to cover funeral expenses and Gaurav’s college education.
The Indian High Commission in Houston and the Consulate General of India in Houston have expressed their deep condolences and are actively providing all possible assistance to the bereaved family. U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna condemned the killing as “horrific” and stated that the perpetrator “should not have been free on American streets.”
The incident has intensified calls for a thorough review of immigration enforcement protocols and raised questions about the effectiveness of current policies in preventing violent crimes committed by individuals with extensive criminal backgrounds who are awaiting deportation. The investigation into this brutal murder continues as legal proceedings against Cobos-Martinez are set to begin. This news is a top trending story across national and international news outlets, highlighting the critical issues surrounding immigration and public safety in the United States.
