Charges Dropped, Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Bombing Victim Freed

ALISO VIEJO, CA — Federal prosecutors have dropped a criminal charge against the ex-boyfriend of the Aliso Viejo bombing victim, Ildiko Krajnyak who was killed in an Aliso Viejo building explosion earlier this month.

Prosecutors said in a weekend court filing that it's now "unclear" if items found at Stephen Beal's Long Beach home can be considered "destructive devices." Beal was released "very early Sunday morning," a Department of Justice spokesperson said.

Beal was spotted outside his home Tuesday, and generally ignored questions from pursuing reporters. When asked by one if he had any involvement in Krajnyak's death, he responded, "No."

Beal, 59, was arrested May 16, the day after the explosion that killed Beal's business partner and former girlfriend. He has not been charged with causing the explosion. He was charged only with possession of an unregistered destructive device.

According to an earlier court affidavit, federal investigators searching Beal's home found a pair of pipe bombs and three firearms, none of which were registered.

But federal prosecutors filed a motion dated Saturday asking that the criminal complaint against Beal be dismissed "without prejudice."

According to the court filing the United States Attorney's office determined that the FBI investigation of the destructive devices sent to Quanitco for detailed examination were "inconclusive."

"Further examination by the Federal Bureau of Investigation raises questions as to whether the devices meet the statutory definition for a 'destructive device' contained in" federal law, according to the motion.

Beal had been jailed without bail.

Krajnyak was killed in the May 15 explosion that occurred when she opened a cardboard box inside the day spa she co-owned with Beal, Magya Kozmetika, on the first floor of a building at 11 Mareblu in Aliso Viejo. Two other women were seriously injured but survived.

The FBI has declined to comment on Beal's release, or information regarding the current investigation, spokesperson Michael Gifford told Patch Tuesday. Orange County Sheriff's Department has not named a suspect in the criminal explosion, spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-call-FBI.

City News Service contributed to this report

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