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PREVIOUSLY: Theo Lengyel, Founding Member of Eureka’s Mr. Bungle, Arrested in Connection With Girlfriend’s Murder

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Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, a founding member of the Eureka-based experimental rock band Mr. Bungle, was convicted Friday of first-degree murder in the killing of his girlfriend Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann, according to SF Gate.

The Santa Cruz jury deliberated for just one day before handing down the guilty verdict against Lengyel, marking the end of a six-week trial that “took a shocking turn in its fourth week” following the “eleventh-hour discovery of an audio recording on Herrmann’s phone from the night of her death,” the SF Gate reports. Lengyel faces life in prison and is set to be sentenced in November.

Lengyel, who sometimes used the name “Mylo Stone,” was arrested in January after investigators with the Capitola Police Department found Herrmann’s remains in a wooded area within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley. She was reported missing by family members in December 2023. The SF Gate report includes the following additional information:

The details around Herrmann’s death were initially inferred largely by digital forensics that showed when her watch stopped recording her heartbeat and traffic camera photos showing Lengyel driving Herrmann’s red Toyota Highlander in the East Bay the same night that she was killed. Lengyel buried her body in Berkley’s Tilden Park under a pile of rocks; a piece of rope was found next to her body, which Lengyel said later was a remnant of his failed attempt to hang himself next to her. 

Lengyel was among the Eureka High School students who formed Mr. Bungle in 1985, along with lead singer Mike Patton, who went on to front alt-metal band Faith No More. Lengyel split with the band in 1996 due to “creative differences.”

The second national Week Without Driving just wrapped up, which means that many elected officials, planners, engineers, and community members did their best to not get behind the wheel of a car for seven days. This event highlights the fact that there are many non-drivers in our communities — at least 36,000 people in Humboldt County don’t have a driver’s license — and raises awareness among decision-makers about the need for safe, convenient and dignified mobility options.

Arcata City Councilmember Sarah Schaefer, Humboldt County Association of Governments Executive Director Beth Burks, and Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities Executive Director Colin Fiske join the EcoNews Report this week to discuss the needs of non-drivers in Humboldt, and to reflect on experiences participating in the Week Without Driving.

(As told to Pat Dunham.)

In May of 1947 I was living in Fields Landing with my mother and stepfather. I was a busy, happy twelve-year-old child.

We lived close to the whaling station, the only land-based whaling station in the United States at that time, located on the edge of the bay at the end of Railroad Avenue. My stepfather, Irish Miles, worked on the Lynn Ann whaling vessel. The Lynn Ann had been a navy patrol boat but was suitable for its current purpose. The other whaler at Fields Landing was the Dennis Gale. Both seemed to be of similar dimensions, but for reasons unknown to me, the Dennis Gale was more popular.

Shirley Shoup.

I was one of many who would run to the whaling station when the word reached the town that the whale boats were coming in with a catch. It was “something to see.” Just the size of this mammal is hard to comprehend when you are standing nearby. Seeing the teeth or the baleen, or the fin — all marvels seldom visible — suddenly made them part of one’s understanding, not just something from a book or a picture: This was something real, right before your eyes.

Crews of men, most of whom I was acquainted with, had to be summoned and at their stations to begin winching a whale’s huge body up the slip, inch by inch. Steel cables attached to powerful engines were stretched taut, able to snap loose at any moment. When cables broke, they flailed around like string in the wind. I don’t remember hard hats or protective gear, only corked boots and agile, alert men working in tandem to do their job.

The flensers cut long strips from the body with sharp blades attached to long poles. An engine-driven cable was attached to one end of a strip and pulled it away as the flensers cut. It required many hours and much labor to complete the dismantling process and clean the deck for the next whale. Oil and debris were everywhere. It must have been difficult for the workmen to maintain balance while wielding a blade, setting cable, moving meat to the boilers and maintaining vigilance against possible injury. Hoses were spraying water; the boilers were being fired; the noise was deafening. We visitors were allowed on the floor to view the whale before the cutting began, but because of the danger, we were never allowed on the floor after that.

One evening, overhearing Mother and Irish talking about an upcoming whaling excursion of four or five days, I listened intently. It was questionable if a whale might actually be harpooned on this trip; it could be that none would be spotted.

Suddenly, Irish turned to me and asked if I would like to go.

My excitement was unforgettable. “Yes, I would like to go!” I said.

Few, if any, other twelve-year-olds could take part in such an experience. Irish told me not to get too excited, as final permission would have to come from the captain and crew of the Lynn Ann.

It took some time, but eventually an agreement was made. I could go if Mother would accompany me. The thought of a few days at sea, in the safety of a secure ship and familiar crew, was like a dream fulfilled.

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Packing only a camera, warm clothes and a sleeping bag, Mother and I boarded ship at six a.m. on a foggy, windy Wednesday morning. The crew had been aboard since the previous night. The Dennis Gale was already out to sea. We walked the narrow plank from the dock to the deck of the ship and were settled in by 7 a.m. Looking around, we saw ropes and cables strung at random across the deck. Mother told me that we had to be very careful as these were the tools of a working ship and we were, after all, here at our own risk. The rope “railing” encircling the ship didn’t offer much encouragement to linger there very long. There was nothing between me and the ocean waves below except this rope. Below deck, my bunk was a small wooden shelf which was very close to the galley. Food smells were strong and constant. (This bunk would turn out to be the place where I spent most of my time.) Soon the ship came alive and silently moved out of the harbor on Humboldt Bay, bound for the open sea.

A whaling vessel has to be narrower than other ships, a necessity during the chase of these large mammals, erratic in their final battle. It is doubtful that whales have many predators other than man. I am sure this is true of the magnificent, toothed sperm whale, one of the largest species, prized for its abundant precious oil. Mounted on the very tip of the bow on a slender flat platform is the instrument of the whale’s destruction, the harpoon. It appeared to be a long metal shaft about four feet long with a pointed front, anchored to a neatly wound chain which was more than 100 feet long.

The crew consisted of about nine men: the captain, gunner, gunner’s mate, and a cook. The rest of the crew were all mates, one of which was my stepfather, Irish Miles. The gunner’s name, as I recall, was Henry. These men were rugged in appearance, perhaps from many years at sea. All were dressed in similar apparel: a heavy black trench coat, blue jeans, knee boots, and black stocking caps, except for the gunner who wore full rain gear when manning the harpoon. I could see the captain in the wheelhouse and was reassured by this sight that “all was well.”

The water was calm that first sunny day. Porpoises followed closely alongside in our wake as we ventured further and further out to sea. They chattered, reveled, encouraged us to come play with them, and provided constant frolicsome companionship. They were a delight. I soon learned that we could be out seven days or longer, with the goal of capturing four whales!

Awakening the next morning, I began to realize that seasickness was to be my constant companion. The sea had become rough, throwing us about like a cork in a bathtub. I had been on a one-day excursion a month before this event, but the water was relatively calm and it had been an exhilarating experience. I was not prepared for my extreme seasickness on this trip. About all I could manage was to lie on my bunk and hope for the best. No one else seemed to be bothered and I hoped it would soon pass. It didn’t. I lay on my bunk most of the day as the ship cruised on toward its destination of “a sighting.” The crew was relaxed, repairing gear, talking, playing cards, enjoying the clear air of the open sea. I could see only sky and water by now.

On the afternoon of the third day, when we were 120 miles out from land, Mother called for me to come up on deck: the first whale was sighted! It was running through my mind that I couldn’t manage to make it up on deck, but also that this was the real reason I was here, to experience an unusual phenomenon. I had to get up, if I could. I made my way to the deck. The whole ship had come alive. The engines were revved and the pursuit begun in earnest, the crew preparing to harpoon our first whale. The excitement of the moment actually caused me to forget the hold seasickness had on me. The ocean was very rough with whitecaps and deep troughs. Looking out at the rolling sea, I remembered how many times during my seasickness I had wanted to just climb over the rail and disappear into the blackness.

With binoculars in hand, I could see the whale in the far distance. It was a sperm whale, seemingly alone, gracefully arching, dipping and showing a magnificent tail-fin, erect and proud. It would swim in this fashion for several seconds preceding a deep-water dive. Several minutes would then elapse before the whale re-emerged, far removed from the original sighting. It was moving at an unbelievably rapid pace and so were we. Seasickness was completely forgotten at this point.

It seemed hours later that we saw the gunner, Henry, appear suddenly out on the bow, disengaging the harpoon, making it ready for action. This instrument reminded me of a small cannon. The explosive charge is shot into the animal when it is close enough, but not too close. By this time the ocean was crashing on all sides of our boat. Strengthened by the speed of our vessel, waves and spray were engulfing the harpoon and gunner. Henry had firmly strapped himself to something I could not see, so that he would not be thrown overboard. I found it hard to believe he could stay at the gun while being constantly battered by the sea; much of the time he was not even visible to the rest of us. At this point, Henry was alone, separated from the rest of the crew, communication obliterated by the crashing water. I’m sure no one wished to change places with him at this time of danger.

When we drew close enough to see the seemingly insignificant brown eye of this huge mammal, Henry released the harpoon, aiming at the whale’s body while it was in an arching position just preceding a dive. A loud explosion sounded as the harpoon made contact with the whale. The engines were shut off and the “chase” begun. The captain steered to keep up with the whale’s maneuvers in this pursuit, but the gunner’s job was finished. We were tearing around, leaping and bounding all over that rough ocean, staying afloat as the cable was extended to its maximum length. The biggest danger was that the whale would dive deep and come up under the boat. Extreme vigilance was maintained to track the whale, keeping up with it until its exhaustion or death. This can go on for some time depending on the part of the body hit by the harpoon. That whale seemed to carry us all over the ocean before it died.

At the end of the chase, the whale was secured to the side of the boat and the search began for another.

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In the next day and a half we harpooned two more whales. The only time I was not violently seasick was during the harpooning sessions. Unfortunately, I was on board for the duration, whatever that would be: we still had one more whale to kill.

I settled back into my bunk the best I could, moaning and groaning into a fitful sleep. The misery was almost unbearable. I remember mother giving me toast to eat, and saying “you have to keep something in your stomach.” That didn’t make sense to me, as I couldn’t keep anything down.

Suddenly there was a change. Something was different. “What is it?” I asked. Mother told me we were turning back. Turning back? Going home? Could this be true? Mother said it was true.

“What happened?” I said.

“The crew ran out of cigarettes!” Mother exclaimed.

Whatever the reason for it, this was what I needed to hear. We were still a hundred miles or more out to sea and had many more hours of tossing like a cork, but we were actually going home.

By the time we docked at Fields Landing, I had been out five days and four nights. We docked with three whales on the Lynn Ann, a respectable catch. One of my friends was waiting for me to disembark. She said I looked a little “green around the gills.” We weren’t laughing about it. It took a few days for my stomach to feel better and my strength to return.

I had taken a few pictures of the Dennis Gayle with a small Brownie camera while I was on the Lynn Ann. The harpoon stand, their whale, and the dimensions of the vessel are clearly visible.

For me, the trip had been unique in many ways. To have received permission from the captain, the crew and the owner of the Lynn Ann was a gift more remarkable than I realized.

My whaling expedition was the source of several reports during my high school years in Eureka. It didn’t seem that unusual then, but looking back, it certainly was something unique for a child of twelve.

As the years have gone by, I have always felt an element of sadness for these elegant creatures freely roaming the seas, meeting the fate we gave them, but that is the way it was at that time and place.

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The story above is from the Summer 2007 issue of the Humboldt Historian, a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society. It is reprinted here with permission. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of The Humboldt Historian at this link.

Mary Elizabeth Walsh left these earthly bounds on Sunday evening, October 6, 2024 to return to our gentle, loving God. She was greeted by her life partner Jack and two sons, Paddy and Jack, Jr., and her grandson Johnathan Walsh Mellon.

Mary’s parents, John and Matilda Ivancich, immigrated to Scotia from Austria in the early 20th century, seeking a better life for their family. She was born in the Scotia Hospital on August 10, 1923, ninth of eleven children, and was named after her oldest sister, Maria, who had died in the flu epidemic.

After the Great Depression hit, the family moved to Eureka, where she attended school and graduated from Eureka High School in 1941. She then moved to San Francisco and during World War II was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers, as a secretary. Six years later she returned to Eureka, at her sister Rosie’s request, to work for Rosie’s husband, Dr. Jack Walsh, who was opening his medical office after returning from the war. After Rose died of a brain tumor, Mary married Jack on August 17, 1953 and this began their loving 74-year journey through life until Jack’s death in 2016.

In addition to managing the busy Walsh household day and night while Jack tended to his patients, Mary and Jack built a log cabin in Squaw Valley just in time for the 1960 Winter Olympics. There they would, with their children and grandchildren, share their love of skiing with their friends and family.

Together Jack and Mary also ran for 18 years the Horse Mountain Ski Area on Titlow Hill, Humboldt County, providing rich opportunities for local kids to learn to ski and develop a greater appreciation of the mountains. Mary, with several kids in diapers, ran the snack shack, selling hot dogs and dressing up as the Easter Bunny for special events.

Mary and Jack loved to travel, which with many kids is not as easy as it sounds. On one trip they rented a camper van and traveled throughout France and Italy with eight of their children. They only lost one along the way – Lizzie, who decided to tour Florence on her own. She was found before the sun went down. Jack and Mary were accomplished sailors and enjoyed several trips, again with kids and grandkids, around the San Juan Islands, in Greece and in the Adriatic Sea.

Their home on S Street was the gathering spot for many holiday feasts and festivities. On summer weekends, they could often be found camping out at their deck along the Trinity River, with views of Old Ironsides above and the lullaby of the river below.

Mary’s family gathered at her home to celebrate her 100th birthday last year on a beautiful summer day. She remained in her home, lovingly cared for by her children and caregiver, Amy Casarez, until she left us. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Amy as well as Hospice & St. Bernard’s Church.

Mary is survived by her remaining nine children, Linda Bareilles (Ken) of Eureka, Danny (Tracey) Walsh of Healdsburg, Mona (Joe) Pinochi or Eureka, Rose Wahlund (Ron) of Eureka, Kitty Kathol (Lorenz) of Alpine, Pat Walsh of Eureka, Liz Day (Tom) of Olympic Valley, Heidi Beauchamp (Ron) of Eureka and Betsy Homen of Eureka.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jack (Carolyn) Bareilles, Ken (Renee) Bareilles, Jess (Denise) Bareilles, Sandy (Eric) Younger, Christy Bareilles, Paul Bareilles, Heidi Bareilles, Kelsey (Rob) Garnero, Maddy (Brian) Huhn, Corey (Haley) Pinochi, Casey (Karen) Pinochi, Matt (Roxy) Wahlund, Danna (Matt) Sanchez, Katie (Nathan) Weightman, Kurt Kathol, Karlie (Eric) Martin, Danny Day, Leanore Day, Ronnie (Ashley) Beauchamp, Bailey (Dennis) Johnson, John Homen, and Mike Homen.

In addition, she also leaves great-grandchildren: Jesse Bareilles, Claire Bareilles, Gigi Bareilles, Max Bareilles, Nathan Bareilles, Mai Bareilles, Jasmine Younger, Colton Younger, Jvon Watkins, Gigi Ganero, Walsh Ganero, Kade Pinochi, Lucca Pinochi, Colt Pinochi, Kamryn & Corrado Pinochi, Bodhi Wahlund, Ames Sanchez, Keira, Jack, Luke, and Joshua Weightman, Asher and Harlow Kathol, and Harper & Rylee Johnson.

Mary’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard’s Church on Saturday, October 19th at 11:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at St. Bernard’s Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Mary to St. Bernard’s School or Hospice, would be appreciated.

Fritz Graff passed from earth to heaven in the early morning hours of September 30, 2024, after a family time of worship and prayer. He had been experiencing health issues as a result of three strokes in 2023. He was 88 years old. He was born in Vallejo on April 30, 1936 to Royal and Gwendolyn Graff. He was joined by a sister, Desiree, five years later.

As he grew up in Vallejo, he spent a lot of time with his grandparents, his aunt and a few good friends. As a kid, he loved learning “magic tricks” and would play tricks and practical jokes on anyone he could, especially his family members. He went to the movies almost every weekend and enjoyed many of them again in his later years. He loved his chemistry set, which likely led him into his chosen profession as a chemical engineer. Fritz was an excellent student, graduating from Stanford University in 1957.

His career as a chemical engineer in the pulp and paper industry began in St. Helen’s, Oregon, where he met his first wife, Sharon Harrington. They were married in 1960. His work brought them to Camus, Wash., and then to Eureka in 1966 when the Crown Zellerbach pulp mill opened. Eventually, he became the environmental supervisor at Simpson Pulp Mill, where he worked until retirement. He and Sharon were active socially with friends in various groups, including a gourmet dinner club, the First Presbyterian Church and co-workers at the mill. They welcomed the joy of their life together, their daughter Robin, in 1969. Unfortunately, Sharon became ill and died from cancer in 1977. Later Fritz met Robin’s teacher, Kathy Adams, and they quickly fell in love and were married in 1979. Ten months later they delightfully welcomed baby Jenny to the family.

During their 46 years together, Fritz and Kathy were active in their daughters’ schools, enjoyed many weeks at the family cabin on the Mad River, took several vacations to Sunriver and experienced numerous joyful gatherings of extended family. Fritz’s quick wit and humor blessed us all.

Besides being a devoted family man, Fritz’s main focus was his relationship with God which spilled into every aspect of his life. Jesus was the center. People know him as a man of integrity, faith, wisdom, peace and stability. He devoted the majority of his life to serving God, leading small groups, and teaching Godly principles in living a Spirit filled life. Whether it was a class on a book of the Bible, or one on marriage, or finances, or prayer, or family life, his intent was to help people realize that God is alive, is for them, and loves them unconditionally.

Fritz and Kathy have been active in Faith Center Foursquare Church, Cursillo, and Coastline Foursquare Church, where they became assistant pastors. They moved to Newberg, Oregon in 2012, returning to Eureka a few months ago saying, “There’s no place like home!”

Fritz is survived by his much loved wife, Kathy; his cherished daughters, Robin Weir (Rob); and Jenny Fisher (Michael); his precious grandchildren, Emma Luken (Riley); Kaden Fisher, and Ellie Fisher; and his beloved sister, Desi Bean. Other relatives include: Laurie and Dennis McCollister, Rodger and Carol Adams, Steve and Linda Adams, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins all of whom greatly enriched his life.

An informal Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, October 27, at 2 p.m. at Coastline Foursquare Church (at Indianola Cutoff and Highway 101 next to the Chef Store). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fritz’s memory to Coastline Church marked for the Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Helene Relief Fund. (Coastline Foursquare Church, PO Box 317, Cutten, CA 95534)

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Fritz Graff’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Filomena Gomes, born April 12, 1937, passed away October 1, 2024, after suffering a major stroke. She was born and raised in Terra Chã, Terceira, Azores. She married Antone Gomes on January 21, 1961. They welcomed their first child, Berta, a couple of years later. In 1968 the family immigrated to America, settling with family in Arcata. She found employment with Lazio’s as a fish processor, a job she did for 15 years. She later worked for herself as a house cleaner. By the end of 1972 her family was complete with the birth of a son, Tim.

Filomena took great pride in being a member of the Portuguese community. She served on many festival committees, as well as helping in the kitchen. The last festival she served on was special to her, as she got to serve alongside her granddaughter.

She was also a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata for 56 years. She proudly became a US citizen in the early 2000s. She traveled back to Terceira a few times to visit but always said America was her home. Until her memory started to fail her she enjoyed knitting, and was known to burn the phone lines catching up with friends. She enjoyed being a grandmother — even as her memory was failing her, she never forgot who any of her grandchildren were. She had a special bond with granddaughter Lydia and loved when she would come over and do her hair and nails.

She was preceded in death by Antone Gomes. She is survived by daughter Berta Davies (Kim) and son Tim Gomes (Deanne). Grandchildren Adam Davies (Kai),Lindsey Mason (Brandon), Grant Davies, Lydia, Eliot, and Oliver Gomes.

There will be a rosary and funeral mass at St.Mary’s church October 17 at 10 a.m. and a celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. at the Arcata Portuguese Hall.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Filomena Gomes’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

PREVIOUSLY: 

• Eureka High on Lockdown For the Third Time This Month, Following Another Threat

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After a day of asking the Eureka Police Department for more information about yesterday’s lockdown at the high school, the department issues this pair of communiques about that situation just before 5 p.m. Friday.

What they seem to say, taken together, is that Eureka police were called to the high school after someone reported graffiti stating that there would be a shooting on campus. This apparently involved a student, or maybe not. 

Then at some point after that they discovered a bomb threat on social media, which did not involve a student.

That’s all we got! Have a great weekend!

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Eureka Police Department release:

On October 10, 2024 at approximately 10:35 a.m., Eureka Police Officers were dispatched to Eureka High School on a report of a note found written on a wall indicating there would be a shooting at the school at a specific time. All available EPD resources were immediately deployed to the school. A lockdown procedure was initiated for the safety of the students and staff and to allow for the investigation. EPD secured the exterior of the campus while teams of officers, as well as Command Staff, set up inside the school to conduct the threat assessment. About 30 minutes into the hard lock down, a decision was made to reduce the level of lockdown so students could return to learning within their classrooms only.

School Administration identified 38 students that needed to be contacted as a result of the initial investigation. Staff, with the assistance of EPD, located 19 of those students still on campus. The other 19 were not on campus at the time of the lockdown. School administrators interviewed these students and collaborated with EPD to determine there was no active threat to the campus. The lockdown was lifted at 2:45 p.m.

EPD’s School Resource Officer and School Administration have contacted the other 19 students and are conducting interviews with them.

Chief Brian Stephens states, “I understand that this has been a very trying two weeks for students, staff, parents and our community as we navigate and investigate this criminal behavior. Understand that EPD’s priority is the safety of our students and staff. We have no margin of error in these incidents and must take each incident as a viable threat and respond accordingly. These types of incidents are time consuming to investigate and we appreciate the professionalism and cooperation of EHS Staff and the patience of the student body and parents. When the person or persons involved in these incidents are identified, they will be held accountable for their inexcusable behavior.”

This is an ongoing and active investigation and EPD is asking anyone that may have information about this string of threats to contact School Resource Officer Ryan Flowers at 707-441-4300, or EHS Administration.

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The following is a joint press release from EPD and Eureka High School:

Eureka High School and the Eureka Police Department are aware of a bomb threat on social media on Thursday, October 10th, 2024. This follows two previous threats on Tuesday, October 1st, and Wednesday, October 9th, 2024. Thanks to the technology and resources available, the Eureka Police Department was able to track the individual responsible and swiftly make contact and interview the juvenile. This incident is still being investigated on a criminal level however, EPD determined there was no credible threat to the students and staff. We want to emphasize that today’s threat did not come from a Eureka High School student.

Chief Brian Stephens of the Eureka Police Department stated, “This situation highlights the value of our partnership with Eureka City Schools and the importance of community vigilance. We encourage everyone to be proactive in reporting any suspicious activities. If you see, hear, or sense something concerning, please say something immediately.”

Rob Standish, Principal of Eureka High School, added, “Our collaboration with law enforcement was key to ensuring the safety of our school community today. We deeply appreciate the swift response and support from the Eureka Police Department. I want to remind everyone—students, parents, and community members—that your role is crucial. If you hear or see something that seems off, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and alert school administration or law enforcement.”

The safety of our students, staff, and community remains our top priority, and we thank everyone for their continued support and cooperation. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and provide updates as necessary.