Indian embassy in Houston condemns beheading of Indian-Origin man in Dallas

The Indian embassy in Houston condemned the beheading of an Indian-origin man in Dallas, Texas. A 50-year-old Indian-origin man named Chandramouli Nagamallaiah was brutally beheaded in front of his wife and son during a violent brawl in a Dallas motel in the United States. According to the police, the attack took place on September 10 at the Downtown Suites motel on Samuell Boulevard, east of Downtown Dallas.

The authorities noted that 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez beheaded Nagamallaiah in front of his wife and son during a violent confrontation. Cobos-Martinez was one of the employees at the motel and was arrested and charged with capital murder.

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.…

— India in Houston (@cgihou) September 11, 2025

According to the arrest affidavit released on Thursday, the attack stemmed from an argument over the use of a broken washing machine. Nagamallaiah had reportedly told Cobos-Martinez and a female colleague not to use it while they were cleaning a motel room, CBS News reported.

The escalation

The affidavit stated that Cobos-Martinez became upset because the victim relayed the message through the female colleague, who acted as a translator, rather than addressing him directly. According to CBS News, video evidence cited in the affidavit shows Cobos-Martinez leaving the room, pulling a machete “from his person,” and attacking Nagamallaiah.

“He chased him from 108 all the way to the office. The man was trying to get into the office to tell his family,” a witness, who was another employee at the Motel, told the police. Nagamallaiah ran screaming toward the motel office where his wife and son were present. They tried to intervene multiple times, but police said the suspect pushed them aside and continued the assault.

After his killing, Cobos-Martinez picked up the victim and threw it in a dumpster. Dallas Fire-Rescue crews arriving at the scene spotted Cobos-Martinez still carrying the machete and covered in blood. They followed him until the police arrived and arrested him. During the interrogation, police said Cobos-Martinez admitted to the crime.

Indian embassy raises concern, suspect’s immigration status also in question

On Thursday, the Indian embassy in Houston released a statment condemning the whole incident and extending condolences to the family of the victim.

“Consulate General of India, Houston, condoles the tragic death of Mr. Chandra Nagamallaiah, an Indian National, killed brutally at his workplace in Dallas, Texas,” the Indian consulate said in a statment. “We are in touch with the family and offering all possible assistance. The accused is in the custody of the Dallas Police. We are following up on the matter closely,” the statment further reads.

Authorities noted that records of Cobos-Martinez show that his immigration is on hold. According to records, Cobos-Martinez has a criminal history, including arrests for auto theft in Florida, as well as charges of assault and indecency with a child in Houston.