A Long Beach man, Stephen Beal, has been found guilty of the murder of his ex-girlfriend and the injury of two others in the 2018 bombing of an Aliso Viejo day spa.
After a retrial, Beal, 64, was convicted of federal charges that include 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.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has stated that Beal could face a potential life sentence in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for November 17 in downtown Los Angeles.
The first case against Beal resulted in a mistrial in August 2022, as the federal criminal jury was deadlocked with a split of 9 to 3 in favor of his guilt.
Beal was arrested in March 2019 for his involvement in the explosion on May 15, 2018, which caused the death of 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak, who co-owned the Magyar Kozmetica day spa with Beal. The explosion also critically injured a mother and daughter.
“This case revolves around obsession, infatuation, and control,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Annamartine Salick in her opening statement during the first trial.
According to FBI officials, Krajnyak was killed when she opened a cardboard box near the front desk of the Magyar Kozmetica spa, triggering the explosive device inside. The force of the explosion caused extensive damage to the building and resulted in Krajnyak’s body being torn apart.
Beal’s defense argued that he had no motive to harm Krajnyak, as she was described as his lover, close friend, and business partner by his attorney.
Evidence presented during the trial included wire fragments found at the scene of the bombing that matched wire discovered in Beal’s home. Surveillance video also showed Beal purchasing the same type of battery used in the explosive device, approximately one week prior to the explosion.
The defense countered by stating that Beal had a history of building hobby rockets and making fireworks, and any wire or materials found in his home were unrelated to the bomb.
Federal officials have claimed that Beal was one of the few individuals with access to the business and was seen at the spa shortly before the bombing occurred.
After the explosion, investigators discovered two improvised explosive devices, three unregistered firearms, and over 100 pounds of explosive material at Beal’s residence.
To demonstrate Beal’s fixation on Krajnyak, the prosecutor played a recording of the defendant reading a love poem he had written for the victim. The poem expressed his love for growing old together, the comfort of hearing her voice before sleep, and how she completed him.
