Mr. Bungle former saxophonist Theo Lengyel arrested for murder of girlfriend

The former Mr. Bungle saxophonist, Theo Lengyel, has been arrested in connection with the murder of his girlfriend, Alice "Alyx" Kamakaokalani Herrmann, a Capitola, California resident. 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 inquiry, her vehicle was discovered in front of Lengyel's residence. Investigators noted Lengyel's lack of cooperation and eventually declared him a suspect when it became evident that foul play was involved. Lengyel had also traveled from El Cerrito, California, to Portland, Oregon, around the time of Herrmann's disappearance.

A press release from the Capitola Police Department revealed that human remains were found in a wooded area within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, California. The remains are awaiting DNA processing. Currently, Lengyel is in custody at the Santa Cruz County jail, as stated 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.