Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, a former member of the experimental rock band Mr. Bungle, has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the tragic killing of his girlfriend, Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann. The jury in Santa Cruz deliberated for a day before reaching the verdict, which carries a potential life sentence for Lengyel. The crime took place on the night of December 4, 2023, inside Herrmann’s Capitola home, and Lengyel was arrested in January after investigators discovered Herrmann’s remains in a wooded area of Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley. Herrmann had been reported missing the previous month when she failed to attend a family gathering in Hawaii.
During Lengyel’s murder trial, prosecutors played an audio recording from Herrmann’s phone that captured the chilling moments as she fought for her life. The recording, found a month into the trial, begins with Lengyel playing the piano before the situation escalates into a heated argument. Lengyel can be heard threatening Herrmann before the altercation turns physical, with Herrmann pleading for her life and gasping for air.
Lengyel, 55, had been a member of Mr. Bungle before leaving the band in 1996. He played saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards on the band’s early recordings, but did not participate in their recent reunion tours. Mr. Bungle, formed in 1985 in Northern California, gained popularity in the 1990s for their unique blend of musical styles, including funk, heavy metal, electronic, and jazz. The band’s lineup included high school friends like guitarist Trey Spruance, bassist Trevor Dunn, and vocalist Mike Patton, who later found success with Faith No More.
The tragic outcome of Lengyel’s relationship with Herrmann has shocked fans and the music community alike, shedding light on a dark chapter in the history of Mr. Bungle. As Lengyel faces the consequences of his actions, the memory of Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann lives on, a reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence.
