Yordanis Cobos Martínez, a 37-year-old Cuban man charged with the gruesome decapitation of a motel manager in Dallas, Texas, is suspected of having perpetrated a comparable crime in his home country of Cuba. This revelation was shared by Cuban-American journalist Javier Díaz through a video on his social media platforms.
An anonymous source revealed that Cobos Martínez hails from the Mayarí municipality in Holguín and had been incarcerated at least twice in Cuba for theft. Alarmingly, he is also believed to have killed a man with a machete during a dispute over the alleged theft of horses.
According to the testimony reported by Díaz, two brothers confronted Cobos Martínez regarding the stolen animals, prompting him to retaliate by attacking them with a machete, which resulted in the death of one brother. Allegedly, Cobos' uncle, a former convict, took the blame for the murder to shield his nephew from prison. The uncle is currently serving time for that crime, which allowed Yordanis to remain free.
Criminal Background in the United States
Cobos was apprehended last Wednesday after he brutally murdered Chandra Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old manager at the Downtown Suites Motel in Old East Dallas, using a machete. The horrific act took place in the presence of the victim's wife and son.
Police reports detail that Cobos inflicted multiple injuries on Nagamallaiah before decapitating him in broad daylight. Surveillance footage captured the assailant kicking the head and discarding it into a trash bin. Shortly after committing the heinous act, Cobos was detained while walking with the machete near a store. Despite the weapon he carried, officers managed to arrest him without resorting to lethal force.
The murder has garnered national attention due to Cobos' criminal history. "The accused has a criminal record in the United States, which includes charges of false imprisonment in California, indecency with a minor in Texas (dismissed), vehicle theft in Florida (dismissed), and carjacking (for which he was acquitted, though convicted of false imprisonment)," explained Javier Díaz.
Cobos had an active deportation order but was released by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January 2025, after the Cuban government refused to take him back. He is currently under the custody of Texas authorities and facing murder charges. The community demands the harshest possible penalty for his actions.
Key Questions about Cobos' Criminal History and Charges
What is Yordanis Cobos Martínez accused of?
Yordanis Cobos Martínez is accused of murdering a motel manager in Dallas, Texas, by decapitation with a machete. He is also suspected of committing a similar crime in Cuba.
What is Cobos' criminal background in the United States?
Cobos has a criminal history in the U.S. that includes false imprisonment in California, indecency with a minor in Texas (dismissed), vehicle theft in Florida (dismissed), and he was acquitted of carjacking but convicted of false imprisonment.
Why was Cobos released by ICE despite having a deportation order?
Cobos was released by ICE because the Cuban government refused to accept him back, despite an active deportation order against him.