DALLAS —A horrific and deeply disturbing crime unfolded in Dallas on Wednesday morning, when police responded to a stabbing call at a local motel and discovered a victim who had been decapitated. Authorities have now identified the victim as 50-year-old Chandra Nagamallaiah, and the suspect as 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, who is in custody and has been charged with capital murder.
The violent incident occurred at the Downtown Suites Motel, located in the 3400 block of Samuell Boulevard, near Interstate 30 and the Tenison Park Golf Course in East Dallas. Just after 9:30 a.m., Dallas Police were dispatched to the scene following reports of a stabbing in progress. Responding officers, alongside Dallas Fire-Rescue, found Nagamallaiah fatally injured from repeated blows with a large edged weapon.
Eyewitness Describes Gruesome Attack
Stephanie Elliott, a witness at the motel, told WFAA reporters that she watched the altercation escalate into one of the most shocking acts of violence she had ever seen. According to Elliott, an argument broke out between the victim and the suspect on the property before Cobos-Martinez allegedly pulled out a machete.
“He just kept hitting him and hitting until he decapitated him,” Elliott said. “I could not believe that anybody would do another human being that way. The victim tried to run, but he fell, and the suspect continued stabbing him.”
Audio recordings from Broadcastify, as well as police incident reports, corroborated her account. They describe officers responding to calls of a suspect armed with a machete and “cutting someone’s head off” at the scene.
Swift Police Response
During a press conference, Dallas Police Executive Assistant Chief Terrence Rhodes emphasized that officers were already patrolling the area when the call came in. Their rapid response prevented further harm and led to the suspect’s immediate capture.
“Our officers were proactively patrolling the area and responded quickly to take the violent criminal into custody,” Rhodes said. “Even though the suspect was armed with a bladed weapon, the officers showed tremendous restraint and used minimal force to apprehend him. This violent crime will not go unpunished and our department will thoroughly investigate and bring charges against the suspect.”
Heavy Police Presence
WFAA crews on scene reported dozens of police vehicles surrounding the motel, with the entrance completely blocked off by crime scene tape as detectives combed the property for evidence. Forensic teams were observed collecting the weapon believed to have been used in the attack, along with surveillance video from the motel.
Residents and guests at the motel expressed shock and fear, with many saying they had never witnessed violence of this scale before. “It’s terrifying to think this happened in broad daylight, right where people live and stay,” one motel resident told reporters.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say Cobos-Martinez is now facing a capital murder charge, the most severe charge available under Texas law. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.
Detectives are working to determine the motive behind the attack. Police have not disclosed the nature of the relationship, if any, between the suspect and the victim, though witnesses described it as an argument that escalated quickly and violently.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office has been briefed on the case and is expected to formally pursue charges in the coming days.
Community Reeling from Violence
The brutal nature of the crime has rattled not only motel residents but also the broader Dallas community. Public safety officials are urging residents to remain vigilant but reassured the public that this appears to be an isolated incident.
“We know this kind of violence shakes our entire community,” Rhodes added. “But our officers acted decisively, and we have the suspect in custody. The community is safe.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and Dallas Police are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact their Homicide Unit.