A Long Beach man, Stephen Beal, was found guilty on Wednesday of murdering his ex-girlfriend and causing injury to two others through a bombing incident at an Aliso Viejo day spa in 2018. Beal, 64, was convicted in a retrial for four felony counts, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death, malicious destruction of a building resulting in death, use of a destructive device in a crime of violence, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
Beal now faces the possibility of a life sentence in federal prison, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years. The sentencing is scheduled for November 17 in downtown Los Angeles, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Using his expertise in explosives, Mr. Beal cowardly murdered his former girlfriend, permanently injured two other victims who were her customers, and endangered the safety of many others in the vicinity, including a day-care center across the street,” expressed U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada in a statement. Estrada further praised the FBI, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Department, and other law enforcement partners for their meticulous investigation and efforts in bringing Beal to justice.
The first trial against Beal resulted in a mistrial being declared in August 2022 due to a deadlock in the federal criminal jury, with a split of 9 to 3 in favor of his guilt.
Beal was arrested in March 2019 in connection with the explosion on May 15, 2018, which claimed the life of 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak, Beal’s former girlfriend and co-owner of Magyar Kozmetica day spa. The explosion also critically injured a mother and daughter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Annamartine Salick opened the first trial by stating, “This is a case about obsession, infatuation, and control.” Salick explained that Beal sought revenge after Krajnyak rejected him and openly dated other men.
FBI officials reported that Krajnyak was killed when she opened a cardboard box near the spa’s front desk, detonating the explosive device hidden inside. The force of the explosion resulted in Krajnyak’s dismemberment and the complete destruction of the building.
The defense argued that Beal had no motive to harm Krajnyak, describing her as Beal’s lover, close friend, and business partner. However, evidence presented included wire fragments found at the scene of the bombing that matched wires discovered during a search of Beal’s residence. Additionally, surveillance footage showed Beal purchasing the specific type of battery used in the explosive device a week prior to the incident, according to the prosecutor.
Furthermore, Beal was found to have purchased three similar cardboard boxes to the one containing the bomb. Federal officials asserted that Beal had access to the business and was seen at the spa shortly before the explosion, indicating that he planted the bomb. The defense claimed that Beal had a history of building hobby rockets and making fireworks, asserting that any wires or materials found in his home were unrelated to the bomb.
During the investigation following the blast, authorities discovered two improvised explosive devices, three unregistered firearms, and over 100 pounds of explosive material at Beal’s residence.
In court, the prosecution showcased Beal’s “burning obsession” with Krajnyak by playing a recording of the defendant reading a love poem he had written for her. The poem included lines such as, “I love that we will grow old together” and “I love how you nurture me… you complete me.”
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