She was the kind of person who made everyone else feel like they were moving in slow motion. Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann—most of her friends just called her Alyx—wasn't just a scientist. She was a Ph.D. in neuroscience, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory alum, a black belt in taekwondo, and a competitive outrigger canoeist. Seriously.
If you’re looking for her name today, it’s probably because of the headlines. The ones involving her boyfriend, former Mr. Bungle musician Theobald "Theo" Lengyel. But focusing only on the end of her life feels like a massive disservice to a woman who was basically a living resume of "impossible" achievements. Honestly, she was a rockstar long before she met one.
The Woman Behind the Name
Alyx wasn't a standard Silicon Valley worker. She was brilliant. At 16, she started college at Pomona, eventually landing a B.S. from Caltech at a time when women were still a rarity in those halls. She didn't stop there. A doctorate in neuroscience followed, leading her to a career that spanned everything from digital signal processing to climate change risk modeling.
She worked for companies like Four Twenty Seven and Moody’s. Her colleagues didn't just respect her; they were intimidated by how much she could do without ever bragging. Her brother, Eric Herrmann, often described her as "fearless." She didn't talk about her accomplishments. She just did them.
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Then there was the water. Alyx lived for the ocean. As a "stroker" for Outrigger Santa Cruz, she set the pace for the entire boat. If she felt another canoe creeping up behind her during a race, she’d just "turn it on," widening the gap with a strength that defied her 61 years. She was a force of nature.
What Really Happened with Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann
The tragedy began in December 2023. Alyx missed a family flight to Hawaii. That was the first red flag. She never missed family time. Her brothers, Conrad and Eric, knew something was wrong immediately. When they called her, it went straight to voicemail.
Her boyfriend, Theo Lengyel, became the primary person of interest. They had been dating for about five years. To outsiders, it looked like a normal, if sometimes intense, relationship. But investigators soon found a much darker reality. After a weeks-long search, her remains were found in Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, buried under a pile of rocks.
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The Audio File That Changed Everything
During the trial in 2024, a piece of evidence surfaced that basically ended any hope for the defense. A three-hour audio recording was found on Alyx’s phone. It’s unclear if she started it on purpose or if it was an accident, but it captured her final moments.
The recording is haunting. It starts with Lengyel playing piano and then devolves into an argument because Alyx didn't want to go out to play pool—she had work the next day. Lengyel can be heard saying, "How do you want to die?" He even asked if she wanted to be choked.
- The Struggle: The recording lasted three hours.
- The Evidence: Alyx said "stop it" 43 times.
- The Verdict: The jury took less than a day to find him guilty of first-degree murder.
The defense tried to argue it wasn't premeditated. They said it was a "heat of passion" moment. But that audio? It showed a pattern. It showed intent. In November 2024, Lengyel was sentenced to 25 years to life.
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A Legacy Beyond the Headlines
It’s easy to get lost in the "true crime" aspect of this. But the community in Santa Cruz and El Cerrito wants her remembered differently. They held vigils at the harbor, filling outrigger canoes with flowers and butterflies—her favorite.
She wasn't just a victim. She was a mother, a daughter, and a brilliant mind who helped model climate risks for the entire planet. Her death sparked a massive conversation about intimate partner violence (IPV) in communities where people think "it doesn't happen here."
Actionable Insights for Safety and Awareness
If there is any "lesson" to be pulled from such a senseless loss, it’s about the subtle signs. Alyx’s own diary, which was brought into evidence, showed she was struggling with his drinking and his temper long before the end.
- Trust the Red Flags: If a partner "jokes" about violence or displays "alcohol-fueled rages," it’s a pattern, not an isolated incident.
- Digital Safety: Alyx’s phone and Apple Watch were the key witnesses. Technology can be a lifeline for evidence, but it doesn't replace a safety plan.
- Community Support: Reach out to local groups. In Santa Cruz, organizations like Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center provide resources for those who feel unsafe in their relationships.
Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann was a woman who lived life at full throttle. She deserved a retirement spent on the water in Hawaii, not a headline in a courtroom. By remembering her brilliance, we keep her spirit from being overshadowed by the man who took it.
To support her legacy, consider donating to environmental causes or local outrigger clubs, which were the places where Alyx felt most at home. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic instability, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.