A former rock singer has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his missing girlfriend after human remains were discovered in a wooded location in California, according to authorities.
Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, 54, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the homicide of his girlfriend, Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann, 61, who was last seen in Santa Cruz on December 3rd, Capitola police said.
Her family reported her missing on December 12, according to the El Cerrito Police Department. The Capitola Police Department assumed command of the investigation, and detectives instantly suspected foul play, with Lengyel named as a suspect.
According to authorities, her car, a red 2007 Toyota Highlander, was discovered in front of her boyfriend’s home in El Cerrito. Authorities further stated that he “has not cooperated with the police investigation” and that he was known to have driven from El Cerrito, California, to Portland, Oregon, in the days following her disappearance.
Sfgate.com claimed that Lengyel was a founding member of the funk-metal band Mr. Bungle. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, he played saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards with the band from 1985 to the mid-1990s.
Human remains were eventually discovered in a wooded region of Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, roughly 4 miles from El Cerrito. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office is awaiting DNA confirmation on those bodies.
The manner of death was not disclosed by the police.
Lengyel was detained and placed in the Santa Cruz County Jail without incident. It’s unclear whether he has legal representation.
Capitola police have stated that they are collaborating with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office “to ensure a thorough prosecution of the case.”
The probe is still going on.