October 29, 2020
Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, a motel manager in Dallas, Texas, could not have imagined his life would end the way it did on the morning of Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The details were revealed in an arrest affidavit by a Dallas Police Department detective, released Sept. 11, which noted that Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, an employee, was cleaning a room along with the witness, when Nagamallaiah came to tell the 2 workers at Downtown Suites motel, not to use a broken washing machine.
CBSnews.com reported the contents of the affidavit, which went on to say Cobos-Martinez got upset that Nagamallaiah did not directly address him, but rather had the witness translate what he had to say. Cobos-Martinez left the room only to return with a machete which he began to attack Nagamallaiah with. The latter ran screaming to the motel office where his wife and son were.
The killer pushed aside the mother and son, beheaded Nagamallaiah and dumped his head outside in a dumpster. On his apprehension, Cobos-Martinez, who has been charged with capital murder, admitted to his crime, the CBSnews report noted.
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The Asian American Hotel Owners Association, AAHOA, the largest hotel owners’ association in the nation, whose members are overwhelmingly of Indian origin, issued a statement on the horrific event, and reiterated its call for beefing up safety and security.
Noting that the Nagamallaiah’s slaying comes after the 2024 murders of AAHOA Member Hemant Mistry in Oklahoma City and of Pravin R. Patel in Sheffield, AL., the organization’s Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel said, “Our hearts are absolutely broken for the victim’s family, who witnessed this unimaginable act of violence. …Hotels are not just workplaces for our members and their teams – they are homes, businesses, and community spaces. The brutality of this crime is beyond comprehension, and our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones, the property owners, and all staff who are grieving this senseless loss.”
AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said, “This is one of the most horrific crimes we have seen impact a hotel workplace in recent memory. Our hotelier community is devastated, and we stand united with our member and their team during this incredibly painful time. No one should ever face such violence while simply doing their job.”
AAHOA provided resources that included guidance on handling confrontational guests, de-escalating tense encounters, and strengthening hotel security protocols.
“We are committed to advocating for enhanced security measures and the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols to protect members of our community,” Patel said. “We encourage AAHOA Members and the industry to reach out for support or resources you may need during this time.”
AAHOA’s 20,000 members own 60 percent of the hotels in the US, and are estimated to contribute 1.7 percent of the nation’s GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels which, which support 4.2 million US jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry, the organization said.
According to a news report on wqad.com, Cobos-Martinez is an immigrant from Cuba, and he had been recently released from the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, TX.