Dallas Motel Beheading Case Shocks Community as Investigation Continues

DALLAS – Dallas police are investigating a shocking beheading that occurred at the Downtown Suites motel in Old East Dallas on Wednesday morning.

The victim, 50-year-old Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, was attacked by 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez after a verbal dispute regarding a broken washing machine. According to an arrest affidavit, the argument escalated when Cobos-Martinez became upset that Nagamallaiah was using a female colleague to translate communication instead of speaking directly to him.

On the morning of the incident, at approximately 9:26 a.m., Nagamallaiah approached Cobos-Martinez and the witness, who were cleaning room 108, to inform them about the washing machine. Video footage reveals Cobos-Martinez leaving the room moments after this interaction and retrieving a machete.

Witnesses report that Nagamallaiah attempted to flee towards the front office, yelling for help while Cobos-Martinez chased him down the parking lot. He continued the attack near the front office despite attempts from Nagamallaiah’s wife and son to intervene. Tragically, they were pushed aside as Cobos-Martinez persisted in his assault.

Authorities detail that the suspect cut Nagamallaiah multiple times before removing his head from his body. Furthermore, it is alleged that Cobos-Martinez searched through the victim’s pockets, taking personal items before discarding the head into a dumpster.

As Cobos-Martinez walked away, police and Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel, who arrived shortly after, noticed him covered in blood while still armed with the machete. He was ultimately taken into custody without incident. Following an interview, Cobos-Martinez confessed to police that he had used a machete to kill Nagamallaiah.

At this time, Cobos-Martinez is being held in the Dallas County Jail facing a capital murder charge. They are also investigating his immigration status. Records indicate he has a history of violent crime, including carjacking and multiple arrests across different states.

A fundraiser has been initiated by Nagamallaiah’s family, expressing the trauma caused by this brutal attack. The campaign emphasizes the shock and impact of witnessing such violence from a loved one’s perspective.

Dallas police maintain that they will thoroughly investigate this horrific crime and hold the suspect accountable.