An arrest affidavit released Thursday revealed shocking new details surrounding the beheading of a Dallas motel manager on Wednesday morning.
According to the affidavit, 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez was involved in a heated argument with 50-year-old Chandra Nagamallaiah at the Downtown Suites motel on Samuell Boulevard, east of downtown Dallas. Both men were employees at the motel.
A witness, another motel worker, told police that she was cleaning a room with Cobos-Martinez when Nagamallaiah instructed them not to use a broken washing machine. Cobos-Martinez reportedly became angry that Nagamallaiah had the witness translate the message instead of speaking to him directly.
Video evidence showed Cobos-Martinez leaving the room, then pulling out a machete and attacking Nagamallaiah. The victim fled toward the motel’s office, where his wife and son were present, but Cobos-Martinez pursued him.
Witnesses said Nagamallaiah’s family tried to intervene, but Cobos-Martinez pushed them aside and continued the attack. Police reported that Cobos-Martinez removed Nagamallaiah’s cell phone and key card before ultimately beheading him.
The affidavit states that the suspect then kicked Nagamallaiah’s head into the parking lot before placing it in a dumpster.
When Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived at the scene, they saw Cobos-Martinez carrying the machete and covered in blood. Firefighters followed him until police arrived and took him into custody.
In an interview with police, Cobos-Martinez admitted to the crime. He is currently held at Dallas County Jail on a capital murder charge, with an immigration hold also noted.
Records show Cobos-Martinez has prior arrests, including auto theft in Florida and charges of indecency with a child and assault in Houston.
