Stephen William Beal, a 64-year-old man from Long Beach, has been found guilty in federal court for the fatal bombing of an Aliso Viejo spa in May 2018. Beal faced four felony counts related to the explosion, which killed the spa’s owner and severely injured two others.
Beal, an amateur rocketry and explosives hobbyist, was accused of building and planting the bomb at the Magyar Kozmetika spa, located in a two-story commercial office building on Mareblu. The blast caused significant damage to the building and killed 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak of Trabuco Canyon. Two clients, a mother and her daughter, were also seriously and “permanently” injured in the explosion.
According to prosecutors, Beal and Krajnyak had previously been in a romantic relationship and business partnership, during which Beal was described as “controlling” and “possessive.” After Krajnyak ended the relationship, Beal became fixated on his ex, monitoring her social media pages, keeping tabs on her whereabouts, and tracking her schedule.
Upon searching Beal’s home, investigators found more than 130 pounds of explosive chemicals and completed explosive mixtures, as well as electric matches and wires. Testing confirmed that the same chemicals were used in the bomb that caused the spa explosion.
Beal is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 17 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also has an unrelated trial pending for federal charges of fraud. This case highlights the ruthless and destructive consequences of violent crime and the diligent work of law enforcement in bringing those responsible to justice.