October 15th 2024.
The verdict is in: Theobald 'Theo' Lengyel has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of his girlfriend, Alice 'Alyx' Hermann. It's a tragic end to a story that began with the couple's love for music, adventure, and each other.
Lengyel, a former member of the experimental rock band Mr. Bungle, was arrested in January after Hermann's body was discovered in a park in Berkeley, California. She had been reported missing in December, and the investigation eventually led to Lengyel's arrest.
The trial, which began in August, came to a close on October 11th with the playing of a harrowing audio recording. The recording, reportedly from Hermann's phone, captured her last moments as Lengyel strangled her to death. Jurors were brought to tears as they listened to the three-hour-long tape, which included Hermann's pleas for her life and Lengyel's chilling threats.
But who was Alyx Hermann? She was more than just a victim. She was a beloved member of the paddling and canoe racing nonprofit, Outrigger Santa Cruz. She had a passion for the outdoors and environmental causes, as her brother Eric shared. She was also an accomplished individual, with a list of achievements that would impress anyone. She attended Pomona College at just 16 years old, went on to get a BS from Caltech, and eventually earned a PhD in neuroscience. She was a professor at the University of Lausanne, a black belt in tae kwon do, and spoke multiple languages. She was a musician, a pescatarian, and a lover of life.
Hermann was also known for her adventurous spirit and her love for the ocean. She was a strong and independent woman, but she also had a close-knit family. She was the eldest of three siblings, with two younger brothers, Conrad and Eric.
Lengyel, on the other hand, was a talented musician who left Mr. Bungle in 1996. He played saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards on several recordings, including the band's debut album in 1991. After his arrest, it was revealed that he had been struggling with alcoholism, which may have played a role in the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful night in December.
The couple's relationship, once filled with love and passion, had turned toxic. The audio recording captured a heated argument between the two, with Lengyel's frustration and anger escalating as the night went on. He threatened to kill their dog and eventually turned his rage towards Hermann, who begged for her life. In a heartbreaking moment, she warned him that his children would have a murderer for a father, to which he responded, "it's too late for that."
The trial also revealed that Lengyel had searched for the exact location of Hermann's body on his phone, and had even made plans to dispose of her body. It was a premeditated and brutal act, and the jury had no choice but to find him guilty.
Now, Lengyel is facing life in prison and will be sentenced in November. The District Attorney's Office has also requested that the judge enhance the murder charge to include torture, a decision that is still pending.
As for Hermann, she will be remembered as a vibrant, intelligent, and accomplished woman. She had a bright future ahead of her, but it was tragically cut short by the man who was supposed to love and protect her. Her memory will live on through her loved ones, who will never forget the rockstar, rocket scientist, brain surgeon, martial arts master, and finance wizard that she was. Rest in peace, Alyx Hermann.
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