Theo Lengyel, Mr. Bungle Band Founder Arrested for Girlfriend's Murder
Theo Lengyel, a once-prominent member of the avant-garde jazz-metal band Mr. Bungle, now finds himself at the center of a homicide investigation.
Authorities arrested the 54-year-old musician on Tuesday, booking him on one count of first-degree murder at the Santa Cruz County Jail.
Theo Lengyel is currently being held without bail, according to Rolling Stone.
The arrest follows the disappearance of Theo Lengyel's girlfriend, Alice "Alyx" Kamakaokalani Herrmann, 61, on December 3.
Reports suggest Lengyel had been a "person of interest" since her disappearance, and his lack of cooperation with El Cerrito investigators raised suspicions.
Herrmann's family reported her missing on December 12 when she failed to board a scheduled flight to Hawaii.
Concerns grew when she did not attend a subsequent club event, with friends describing her as someone who wouldn't typically miss without notice.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities discovered human remains in Tilden Regional Park, believed to be Herrmann's.
Additionally, her car was found parked in front of Lengyel's residence. The Contra Costa County Coroner's Office is currently working on verifying the identity of the remains through DNA analysis.
Capitola police, in a statement, expressed condolences to Herrmann's family and friends, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in apprehending Lengyel.
The motive for the alleged homicide remains unknown.
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Theo Lengyel's Girlfriend Went Missing
Herrmann's family reported her missing after she failed to board a flight to Hawaii on December 12, Santa Cruz Sentinel noted.
Friends from Outrigger Santa Cruz last saw her during a recreational paddle-out on December 3, expressing concern about her sudden disappearance.
Theresa Moulder, a club coach, noted Herrmann's absence and unusual silence, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to Theo Lengyel being a suspect.
El Cerrito police revealed that Lengyel, in the days following Herrmann's disappearance, drove to Portland, Oregon, in his blue 1989 Ford pickup.
Notably, Herrmann's red 2007 Toyota Highlander SUV was discovered parked outside Lengyel's home.
The investigation revealed Lengyel's non-cooperation with authorities.
Capitola Police Department took charge of the investigation on December 26, collaborating with El Cerrito detectives and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office.
Theo Lengyel's Career
Lengyel, a founding member of the funk-metal band Mr. Bungle, had a notable decade-long tenure with the group from 1985 to the mid-1990s, per the SFGATE.
Mainly recognized for his saxophone skills, Lengyel reportedly left the band on strained terms.
Since 2000, Lengyel transitioned into the software development and programming sector, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Sources suggest Theo Lengyel's alias, Mylo Stone, provided a recommendation on the profile, affirming Lengyel's capabilities while hinting at the untapped potential.
El Cerrito police believe Mylo Stone is one of Lengyel's known aliases.
Meanwhile, Herrmann, an accomplished Caltech-educated software engineer, was an active athlete who participated in ocean outrigger canoeing at an international level.
Family and friends remember her as a talented individual passionate about music and the outdoors.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, Capitola police have refrained from disclosing further details.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Boyfriend of missing CA woman arrested for murder, human remains found in Berkeley: police - From ABC7 News Bay Area
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