Indian origin man from Karnataka beheaded at Dallas motel after workplace dispute

According to the Dallas police, the conflict began when he asked his employee, Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, not to use a broken washing machine. The argument quickly escalated, with Cobos-Martinez allegedly stabbing Nagamallaiah multiple times before chasing him toward the motel’s front office.

Witnesses, including Nagamallaiah’s wife and son, watched helplessly as Cobos-Martinez beheaded him, kicked his head into the parking lot, and placed it in a dumpster. Security cameras captured the killing, and showed the body outside a ground-floor room with a trail of blood.

The police arrested Cobos-Martinez at the scene, finding him with a blood-soaked T-shirt, the machete, Nagamallaiah’s phone, and a key card. He later admitted to the killing during interrogation.

Now on an immigration hold, Cobos-Martinez was found to have a violent criminal history. Records show he was convicted in California and had earlier arrests in Florida and Houston. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had confirmed to Fox News earlier this year that he was released from custody on January 13 despite a removal order that cited “no significant likelihood for removal in the foreseeable future.”

The Indian High Commission in Houston condoled the tragic death of Nagamallaiah. “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 embassy said in a statement on X.

ICE has described the murder as “unthinkable.” The agency said Cobos-Martinez was released from ICE custody earlier in 2025 under an order of supervision, citing issues such as the lack of available removal flights to Cuba. ICE also commented that, in hindsight, the suspect should not have been free.

The Cuban national has been charged with capital murder and is currently lodged at Dallas County Jail. Detectives have executed a search warrant at the motel to gather further evidence.

Nagamallaiah, originally from Karnataka, was remembered by colleagues and community members as a hardworking family man. The Consulate General of India in Houston expressed “deep condolences” and confirmed it is assisting the bereaved family while closely monitoring the case.

The killing has shocked the Indian diaspora and sparked outrage online, with many users on X questioning the lack of mainstream coverage and highlighting concerns about anti-Asian violence and the safety of immigrant workers. A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to support Nagamallaiah’s family.

–With inputs from ENS Chandigarh

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