Motel Manager Beheaded After Argument Over Broken Washing Machine

Downtown Dallas motel manager Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, was fatally attacked and beheaded by coworker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, at the Downtown Suites motel on Wednesday morning after a dispute over a malfunctioning washing machine.

The gruesome killing, witnessed by the victim’s wife and son, underscores rising concerns about workplace violence and public safety in hospitality venues.

Altercation Sparks Deadly Attack

Surveillance footage shows Nagamallaiah confronting Cobos-Martinez and a female colleague about using a broken washer, speaking through the woman as translator. Upset by the indirect communication, Cobos-Martinez retrieved a machete and launched a brutal assault.

His victim attempted to flee, screaming for help as Cobos-Martinez chased him through the parking lot. The suspect pressed the attack until Nagamallaiah’s head was severed, then kicked it into the lot before dumping it in a dumpster.

Immediate Aftermath and Arrest

  • Paramedics pronounced Nagamallaiah dead at the scene around 9:30 a.m.
  • A Dallas Fire-Rescue crew spotted a blood-stained Cobos-Martinez carrying the machete and alerted responding officers.
  • Cobos-Martinez was arrested one block away and confessed to the killing, according to the arrest affidavit.

Charges and Detention

Yordanis Cobos-Martinez faces capital murder charges and is held without bail at Dallas County Jail under an immigration detainer for alleged unauthorized U.S. entry. Authorities have yet to determine if the attack was premeditated.

Community and Law Enforcement Response

Dallas Police warn of “zero tolerance” for violent workplace incidents and urge businesses to review safety protocols. Neighbors described the Downtown Suites motel as generally quiet, shocked by the sudden violence in their midst.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • Victim: Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, motel manager
  • Suspect: Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, coworker
  • Location: Downtown Suites motel on Samuell Boulevard, east of Downtown Dallas
  • Time: Approximately 9:30 a.m. CDT, September 10, 2025
  • Weapon: Machete
  • Charge: Capital murder with an immigration detainer

Dallas police continue to investigate motives and are reviewing motel security measures to prevent similar tragedies.