According to a published report from AP, Theo Lengyel, formerly a saxophonist and songwriter with Mr. Bungle, has been found guilty of murder by a Jury in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann, a Capitola, California resident. AP reported that this guilty verdict on the charge of first-degree murder arrived after one day of deliberation from the jury, with Lengyel now facing life in prison. His sentencing is set to take place next month. “It’s over, but it’s not. It’s not really. It’ll never really be over,” a friend of Herrmann, Amy Miyakusu, said. The verdict comes off new evidence presented last week to the jury, an audio recording from Herrmann’s phone which captures the exact moments of her death, said to be chilling to hear when played in court, submitted as the damning and ultimately linchpin piece of evidence. The Capitola Police Department took Lengyel into custody on Tuesday, January 2nd, after he was previously labeled a “person of interest” in the case. Herrmann’s relatives reported her missing on December 12th, prompting a missing-person investigation. During the investigation, her vehicle was discovered in front of Lengyel’s residence. Investigators faced challenges in getting Lengyel to cooperate, and eventually identified him as a suspect in connection with Herrmann’s disappearance, suspecting foul play. Notably, Lengyel had traveled from El Cerrito, California, to Portland, Oregon, around the time of the incident.
https://www.ksbw.com/article/california-capitola-womans-friends-react-killers-verdict/62574699
https://apnews.com/article/mr-bungle-girlfriend-killing-guilty-bd369201c2388383428a84746661929f
In a press release from the Capitola Police Department, it was disclosed that human remains were discovered in a wooded area within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, California. These remains are currently awaiting DNA processing. Lengyel is presently in custody at the Santa Cruz County jail, as detailed on the Capitola Police Department’s Facebook page.
That Facebook post read:
Media Release – Homicide Arrest
Theobald “Theo” Lengyel was arrested this morning in connection with the homicide of Alice Herrmann. Lengyel was located in the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s jurisdiction after an arrest warrant was issued. He was taken into custody by SCSO Deputies and Capitola PD Detective Currier without incident. Lengyel was subsequently booked into SC County jail.
The investigation led investigators to recover human remains in a wooded area within Tilden Regional Park in Berkley. The identification of the human remains is pending DNA confirmation from the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office.
Please refer to the attached Media Release for additional details
The arrest report stated:
Capitola, CA – January 2, 2024, The Capitola Police Department, in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, El Cerrito Police Department, and the Department of Justice, has successfully apprehended Thoebald “Theo” Lengyel (54 years old) in connection with the homicide of his girlfriend, Alice “Aly” Kamakaokalani Herrmann (61 years old), a Capitola resident.
The arrest of Thoebald Lengyel was executed earlier today with the help of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Cruz County, following an intensive and collaborative investigation by the Capitola Police Department, which took over as the lead agency in the case. The joint efforts with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office and the El Cerrito Police Department have been instrumental in bringing this case to a resolution. Alice Kamakaokalani was last seen on December 3, 2023, prompting a missing person investigation from law enforcement agencies. The Capitola Police Department, in conjunction with the El Cerrito Police Department, initiated an investigation into her disappearance on December 12, 2023. Detectives from the Capitola Police Department gathered evidence, conducted interviews, and collaborated with partner agencies to piece together the circumstances surrounding Alice Kamakaokalani’s disappearance. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that foul play was involved, leading to the identification of Thoebald Lengyel as a suspect.
The investigation led investigators to recover human remains in a wooded area within Tilden Regional Park in Berkley. The identification of the human remains is pending DNA confirmation from the Contra County Coroner’s Office.
The diligent work of our investigators, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, has led to the apprehension of Thoebald Lengyel in connection with the tragic homicide of Alice Kamakaokalanil. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time.
The Capitola Police Department expresses gratitude to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, East Bay Regional Parks Police Department, Contra Costa Crime Lab, El Cerrito Police Department, Cal OES, and the Department of Justice for their support and collaboration throughout this investigation.
Theobald Lengyel is currently in custody, and the Capitola Police Department will work closely with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office to ensure a throughout prosecution of the case. This remains an ongoing investigation, the Capitola Police Department will not provide further details at this time. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Lengyel, a multi-instrumentalist, was part of Mr. Bungle from 1985 to 1996, contributing to their early 1986 demo The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny, as well as studio albums like Mr. Bungle (1991) and Disco Volante (1995). He played saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards. Creative differences led to his departure from the band in 1996, and he is not part of the current reunion lineup featuring classic members Mike Patton, Trey Spruance, and Trevor Dunn alongside Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo.