Horrific Beheading: Indiana Motel Manager Brutally Murdered by Co-Worker

A shocking incident has sent ripples of horror through the quiet community of Clarksville, Indiana, after an Indian-origin motel manager, Palak Bhakta, was brutally beheaded by a co-worker who allegedly believed she was a “witch” or a “demon.” The gruesome crime unfolded at the Super 8 motel, leaving investigators grappling with a motive rooted in disturbing delusions.

Palak Bhakta, 46, a respected and long-time manager at the Super 8 motel on Broadway, was discovered dead on a Tuesday morning, her body showing signs of a violent attack.

Police were called to the scene after another employee, who was scheduled to work with Bhakta, found her deceased in a horrifying state. The discovery immediately triggered a homicide investigation.

Within hours of the discovery, authorities quickly apprehended 23-year-old Joshua Ellis, a co-worker at the motel, in connection with the murder.

According to court documents and police reports, Ellis admitted to the horrific act, claiming he used a sword to kill Bhakta because he believed she was involved in witchcraft. During questioning, Ellis reportedly told detectives that Bhakta was a “witch” and that she needed to be sent “back to hell” because she was a “demon.”

The details surrounding the attack are particularly disturbing.

Police found a large sword, believed to be the murder weapon, inside the motel room where Bhakta’s body was discovered. Surveillance footage from the motel was crucial in identifying Ellis as a suspect, showing him entering and exiting the premises around the time of the murder.

Bhakta had been a familiar and integral part of the Clarksville community for many years, managing the Super 8 motel and interacting daily with guests and staff.

Her sudden and violent death has left her family, friends, and the wider community in shock and mourning. Colleagues described her as a dedicated and kind individual, making the senseless nature of her demise even more tragic.

Joshua Ellis has been formally charged with murder. Court records indicate that Ellis has a history of mental health struggles and drug use, though he was reportedly functioning well in his job at the motel.

Investigators are probing whether these past issues contributed to his alleged delusional state during the crime. The case highlights the devastating impact of untreated mental illness and the potential for extreme violence when such conditions manifest.

Ellis is currently being held without bond at the Clark County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the full timeline of events leading up to the brutal murder. The community now awaits justice for Palak Bhakta, whose life was tragically cut short in an act of unimaginable violence.