A Long Beach rocket and explosives hobbyist who crafted a homemade bomb that killed his ex-girlfriend, injured two other women and obliterated an Aliso Viejo day spa was ordered Friday to spend the rest of his life in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton during a hearing in a downtown Los Angeles federal courtroom sentenced Stephen Beal, 64, to life in prison — as well as an additional 30 years behind bars — for using a weapon of mass destruction in the May 15, 2018 revenge killing of 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak.
During the sentencing hearing, Family, friends and former clients of Krajnyak described her as a dynamic and driven woman who drew a devoted clientele after achieving her dream of opening her own successful spa. Eva Boni, a cousin who Krajnyak convinced to immigrate to the United States from their native Hungary, described Krajnyak as “an amazing person who was loved by many…
“To me she was a shining star,” Boni told the judge. “I looked up to her and loved her so much.”
Judge Staton noted that Beal apparently decided to kill Krajnyak after seeing messages from other men on her phone and realizing she did not want to continue their relationship. But, the judge said, rather than kill Krajnyak in the heat of passion, Beal “clearly decided revenge is a dish best served cold.”
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“The cold, calculating nature of the crime is chilling,” Staton said, describing Beal as not caring when the explosion went off or who else would be injured by the “fiery hell” he created.
Beal continued to maintain his innocence in brief remarks to the judge.
“I just wish the person who actually committed this crime was sitting here, not me,” Beal said.
Those who knew Krajnyak described feeling at least some closure from Beal’s conviction and sentence.
“I can have peace in knowing you will finally get what you deserve,” Boni, Krajnyak’s cousin, told Beal.
