U.S. President Donald Trump announced that 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, accused of beheading 41-year-old Indian American motel manager Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah on September 10, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, will face first-degree murder charges.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “I am aware of the terrible reports regarding the murder of Chandra Nagamallaiah, a well-respected person in Dallas, Texas, who was brutally beheaded, in front of his wife and son, by an ILLEGAL ALIEN from Cuba who should have never been in our Country.”

President Trump added that Cobos-Martinez had a history of violent offenses, including “child sex abuse, grand theft auto, and false imprisonment,” but was released back into the United States by the Biden administration after Cuba refused to take him back.

“Rest assured, the time for being soft on these Illegal Immigrant Criminals is OVER under my watch! Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Border Czar Tom Homan, and many others in my Administration, are doing an incredible job in, MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN,” the President stated. “This criminal, who we have in custody, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. He will be charged with murder in the first degree!”

Authorities reported that the attack occurred after an argument over a broken washing machine at the Downtown Suites motel on Samuell Boulevard, where both men worked.

A witness, also a motel employee, told police she was cleaning a room with Cobos-Martinez when Nagamallaiah arrived to instruct them not to use the malfunctioning machine. The witness said the suspect became angry that Nagamallaiah asked her to translate instead of addressing him directly.

Disturbing videos of the incident show Cobos-Martinez chasing Nagamallaiah through a motel corridor while the victim’s wife and son attempted to intervene. The suspect allegedly attacked him repeatedly with a machete, rifled through his pockets, and took his cellphone and key card before continuing the assault. Nagamallaiah was ultimately beheaded. Another video reportedly shows the suspect kicking the severed head before discarding it in a dumpster.

Originally from Karnataka, India, Nagamallaiah moved to the United States in 2018, first living in San Antonio before settling in Dallas. He is survived by his wife, Nisha, and their 18-year-old son, Gaurav, who recently graduated high school and is preparing to start college.

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi expressed shock over the killing. “I am horrified by the brutal murder of Chandra Nagamallaiah, a hardworking Indian American immigrant killed in Dallas in front of his wife and son. My deepest condolences go to his family. The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Indiaspora, a nonprofit network of global Indian-origin leaders, also condemned the attack in a statement. 

“Indiaspora extends its deepest condolences to Nagamallaiah’s family, friends, and loved ones. Our hearts go out especially to his wife and son during this unimaginably painful time,” the organization stated. “Indiaspora condemns such acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. Each person deserves safety and dignity, regardless of identity. We stand in solidarity with the Indian diaspora community, and those striving for universal safety, justice, and integrity.”

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