CCTV Shows Motel Staff Chase, Behead Indian Man In Front Of Wife, Teen Son

An Indian man from Karnataka was brutally beheaded by a Cuban immigrant at a motel in Dallas, Texas. Fifty-year-old Chandra Nagamallaiah, who managed the Downtown Suites motel on Samuell Boulevard, east of Downtown, was repeatedly assaulted with a machete by Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, who has a violent criminal history and was recently released from custody.

In CCTV footage that has gone viral, the killer can be seen chasing Nagamallaiah with a machete in the motel corridor. Nagamallaiah's screams alerted his wife and 18-year-old son, who tried to intervene several times, but Cobos-Martinez pushed them away and continued the assault.

At one point, Nagamallaiah's son-- seen in a yellow shirt-- brings a baseball bat. But by that time, his father seems to have gone still.

Cobos-Martinez then takes out something from Nagamallaiah's pockets before again resuming the frenzied attack. Then, the victim's severed head rolls out. When Nagamallaiah's wife, wailing loudly, tries again to stop him, he is seen advancing menacingly towards her. At this point, Nagamallaiah's son drags his mother away from the grisly scene.

Footage from another angle shows the killer kicking the severed head like a football, walking towards it, picking it up and taking it to the dumpster.

Arrest Affidavit

Cobos-Martine, who has a criminal record in Houston, including arrests for auto theft and assault, has been arrested and is being held without bond. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.

An arrest document released by the police on Thursday revealed that Cobos-Martinez was involved in an argument on Wednesday morning with the victim. A witness told the police that she was cleaning a room with Cobos-Martine when Nagamallaiah came and told them not to use the washing machine, as it was broken.

The witness said the Cobos-Martinez became upset with Nagamallaiah for having her "translate the communication instead of speaking to [Cobos-Martinez] directly". He then took out a machete and started chasing Nagamallaiah.

Another witness told CBS Texas the accused man chased the victim "from 108 all the way to the office. The man was trying to get into the office to tell his family".

Police said that after beheading Nagamallaiah, "the suspect then kicked his head twice into the parking lot and proceeded to pick it up and carry it to the dumpster and put it inside".

As Cobos-Martinez walked away from the scene, a Dallas Fire-Rescue (DRF) truck arrived, and the personnel saw Cobos-Martinez still carrying the machete and covered in blood. The DFR unit followed Cobos-Martinez until police officers were able to take him into custody.

India Reacts

The Consulate General of India in Houston condoled the death of Nagamallaiah and said it was following up on the incident closely.

"We are in touch with the family and offering all possible assistance. The accused is in the custody of Dallas Police," it said in a post on X.

Known as Bob to friends and family, Nagamallaiah was remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and kind soul who touched the lives of everyone he knew.

“This unimaginable tragedy was not only sudden but deeply traumatic,” friends said.

“Bob's life was taken in a brutal attack that occurred in front of his wife and son, who bravely tried to protect him. The shocking nature of this event has shaken our community.” Friends, family, and the local Indian community are coming together to support his family.

A fundraiser has been set up to help cover funeral expenses, immediate living costs, and his son's college education. Nagamallaiah's funeral will be held on Saturday.