Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Explosion Victim Had Explosives: FBI

ALISO VIEJO, CA — Editor's Note: Federal prosecutors dropped a charge against Stephen Beal on his possession of an unregistered explosive device. He was released Sunday. Read: Charges Dropped, Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Bombing Victim Freed

While investigators review the cause of a deadly explosion at an Aliso Viejo spa, a Long Beach actor whose ex-girlfriend was killed in the explosion, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an incendiary device, the FBI stated Thursday morning. Though Stephen Beal, 59, is not expected to be charged in connection with the explosion Thursday, he will most likely make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, according to FBI Spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

Earlier evidence in an affidavit filed by the FBI in federal court in Santa Ana, a woman who survived the blast told investigators it happened when the spa's owner, Ildiko Krajnyak, opened a brown cardboard box that had been on the floor near the front counter of her day spa. Investigators who searched the spa following the explosion found "a nine-volt battery, a cellular telephone, melted material that appeared to be duct tape and loose wires," according to the court filing. Upon searching the home of Beal, Krajnyak's ex-boyfriend, investigators found "two completed improvised explosive devices and three firearms."

He told investigators, however, that "he did not have material to create an explosion that large."

An Orange County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman told Patch they are still investigating any connection that Beal may have to the deadly explosion in Aliso Viejo.

According to neighbors, Beal and Krajnyak dated, and he was an investor in her day spa. Facebook photos show Krajnyak and Beal traveling the globe together as recently as April of this year.

The man's neighbors told Patch he was dejected over a recent breakup and is known in the neighborhood for building rockets and tinkering on projects in his garage. The death of his first wife in a freakish furniture-moving accident has long been the topic of speculation, neighbors told Patch.

Eimiller said investigators have not established a motive for the blast. Authorities are still working to piece together the events leading up to Tuesday's explosion at Krajnyak's Aliso Viejo spa.

Mysterious Death Of First Wife

Beal's first wife died 10 years ago, according to neighbors' accounts to reporters. The circumstances of her death were a "furniture moving mishap." Don Westerhoff told reporters that a heavy cabinet was being moved upstairs when it slipped from Beal's grip, slid down the stairs and slammed into his wife.

Westerloff recalled Beal's discussion with the neighbors after the incident. Westerloff repeated Beal's words to reporters: "It must have 'slipped out of (Beal's) hands and took her downstairs faster than she could run backwards, I guess.'"

NBC4 reported that Beal's wife was injured in that incident, but didn't die until three weeks later when she returned to the hospital with worsening symptoms. She went back to a hospital three weeks later due to repeated vomiting, and she died soon after.

According to Los Angeles County Coroner's records, the cause of death was pancreatitis, electrolyte imbalance and other undetermined factors with a final note of chronic lead intoxication. The station reported that Beal had been "uncooperative" with doctors during his wife's treatment. The case status in this incident is considered closed. According to Los Angeles County Coroner's records, Christine Beal was 48 when she died on March 8, 2008.

Beal was forced to sue the life insurance company for benefits after her death and later was paid $500,000.

Beal, who describes himself as an actor on his Facebook page, has a series of minor acting credits, including the TV movie "Samuel Adams," short films and productions.

Neighbor "Mushroom" Montoya told reporters he was shocked at the focus on Beal.

"We can't fathom he would do anything mean, or nasty, or anything else," Montoya said. "He used to make rockets about as big as I am. He would do it in the driveway by his garage. He'd go out to the desert and fire them off."

A Woman Mourned

Krajnyak owned Magyar Kozmetika, a day spa on the first floor of the building where the bombing occurred. Her son, Keanu Laszlo Vestil, is attempting to return home from the University of Washington. A GoFundMe page has been established for her family.

According to her Facebook profile, Krajnyak was a mother and an animal lover, who recently explored European cities. Irene White, a friend of Krajnyak's family, gave a brief statement outside her home late Wednesday.

"This is a complete shock to family and her friends," White said. "We are in full support of our public authorities to do their jobs in hopes of finding answers to many of the unanswered questions. Families always came first for Ildiko. She took great pride in finding beauty in everyone. At this time, our family and friends would like to privately mourn a mother, a wife, a daughter and a friend."

Three other people were injured in the blast along with Krajnyak, but authorities have not yet identified those victims nor the extent of their injuries. One suffered from smoke inhalation.

The other two victims, both women, were believed to be customers inside the day spa when the explosion occurred, Undersherrif Don Barnes said. Authorities said they remained hospitalized but are expected to survive.

Aliso Viejo Residents Showed Their Kindness Behind Their Shock

Aliso Viejo is ranked one of the safest cities in the country, and the massive crime scene surrounding the blast was an unfathomable sight for many residents. Still, the community was quick to help. Witnesses recalled how evacuees were helping each other through the chaos after the explosion.

The violence caused some people to run outside thinking an earthquake had struck, according to witnesses. A nearby preschool was evacuated to a Target shopping center, with a train of toddlers, firefighters holding hands, and concerned parents rushing to reach their children.

Doug Shin of Inglewood witnessed the event, telling Patch he heard a loud "boom" and felt the ground shake with the explosion.

"People thought it was a car that hit the building," Shin said. "We saw smoke, debris, and insulation from the building. It looked like a bomb went off."

As bomb squad investigators strategized for hours how to safely enter the building, residents in the area waited nervously, uncertain what would come next. All businesses on Mareblu remained closed Wednesday while the investigation continues.

Authorities do not believe there is any additional threat to Aliso Viejo residents at this time, according to the current investigation. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!).

The Investigation

This difficult crime scene could take a week to process, according to FBI spokesperson Paul Delacourt.

"Bomb technicians from multiple agencies are working diligently to determine the cause of the explosion," Delacourt said. "This explosion was caused by a device, and though the damage was extensive, there are components at the scene that were inconsistent from what would expect to find in this business."

Authorities continue to interview and serve warrants, such as the ones served in Aliso Viejo, Trabuco Canyon and the Long Beach home. The investigation will take time, Delacourt said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go to the victims and family members," an ATF spokesperson said. "Outstanding job by OCFA, OCSD, in making sure the scene was secure."

"We are actively seeking information regarding the the case," Delacourt said.

Even as authorities refused to say whether the explosion was intentional Tuesday night, sheriff's detectives and federal agents descended on Beal's two-story home in a quiet Long Beach neighborhood near El Dorado Park. Investigators remained on the scene for more than 24 hours as news crews and neighbors gathered to outside a length of yellow police tape.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Explosive Device - Beal COMPLAINT (1) by Ashley Ludwig on Scribd

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Previous coverage:

• Charges Dropped, Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Bombing Victim Freed
• Actor And Boyfriend Of Woman Killed In CA Explosion Arrested
• 'Suspicious' Aliso Viejo Explosion Kills 1, Triggers Evacuations
• 5 Things To Know About The Aliso Viejo Explosion
• Trabuco Canyon Woman Killed In Deadly Explosion

Photos: Amy Spurgeon Hoffman, Paige Austin. City News Service contributed to this report.