Former rocker arrested after human remains uncovered in search for missing girlfriend

A former rock musician has reportedly been arrested for first degree murder in the apparent death of his girlfriend. The charges were brought after human remains were discovered in a wooded area in California, according to NBC News.

Theobald "Theo" Lengyel, 54, was arrested and taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Alice "Alyx" Kamakaokalani Herrmann, 61, who hadn't been seen since December 3. The announcement was made on Facebook by the Santa Cruz, Capitola police on Tuesday.

The victim's family reported her missing on December 12 to the El Cerrito Police Department, but the Capitola Police Department soon took over the investigation. Detectives involved in the case quickly suspected foul play may have been involved, designating Lengyel as a primary suspect.

The authorities published a separate statement, writing: "Based on his actions, Theo Lengyel is a person of interest in Alice Hermann’s disappearance and has not cooperated with the police investigation."

"In the days following her disappearance, Theo Lengyel is known to have travelled by vehicle from El Cerrito, CA to Portland, OR. A photograph of his vehicle is included in this release."

The victim's 2007 Toyota Highlander was last spotted in front of her boyfriend's house in El Cerrito, according to the authorities.

Lengyel was one of the first members of the band Mr. Bungle, a funk-metal outfit. He was known to have played saxophone, keyboards, and clarinet for the group from 1985 to the mid-1990s, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle.

During the investigation, authorities discovered human remains in a wooded area within the Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley. While the remains are currently being examined and tested for DNA, it is believed that the remains belong to the victim. The police have not yet released information about the cause of death in the case.

NBC News reported that Lengyel was eventually arrested without incident and taken to the Santa Cruz County Jail. It has not yet been revealed if he has legal representation in the case.

Before the remains were found, the authorities put out on a notice to those in the area, suggesting that those "who spend time in regional parks and open spaces to be on the lookout for anything suspicious that might lead to Alice’s whereabouts."

The investigation is still ongoing.

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