Dateline: Death at the Spa - 5 harrowing details about Ildiko Krajnyak's death, revisited 

Dateline NBC's episode Death at the Spa, which aired on February 9, 2024, explores an unexpected tragedy that shook Southern California.

On May 15, a quiet day at Magyar Kozmetika spa turned into a shocking nightmare when a package bomb exploded. It ended up killing a devoted mother and esthetician, Ildiko Kranjnyak. The blast also injured two clients who were present at the premises.

What appeared to be just another workday turned into a crime scene, leaving investigators searching for answers. The Hungarian immigrant had built a life around her business and looking after her son.

However, someone from her past had bad intentions. The explosion raised immediate questions about who would target her and why. Dateline correspondent Josh Mankiewicz delved deep into this complicated case, uncovering shocking details about relationships going wrong and a calculated plan for killing that would shock everyone involved.

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Who was Ildiko Krajnyak?

Ildiko Krajnyak was born in Hungary. She was an adventurous person in her childhood. In the 90s, Ildiko Krajnyak boldly decided to move to California to explore new opportunities. Despite the distance, she stayed connected to her Hungarian roots through regular contact with her family.

She worked in the beauty industry for three decades and ultimately opened her own Spa in Aliso Viejo. She married Ronilo Vestil, and they welcomed a son called Laszio Vestil. Though their marriage ended, they continued to stay together with her sick mother.

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Harrowing details about Ildiko Krajnyak's death

1) Krajnyak broke up with a man she met on a dating app

She served as the CEO of a skincare and retail company. Her business partner was Stephen Beal, a man she had dated after meeting on a dating app. Their romantic connection ended soon, but they continued their business partnership. However, there were ongoing tensions between them.

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2) A deadly explosion that took away innocent lives

One day, Ildiko Krajnyak was working at her Spa after attending to her clients. She opened a cardboard box that had been left at her office. The box had a bomb that detonated immediately upon opening. The explosion killed her instantly and destroyed the premises.

The force of the blast completely blew off one wall of the facility. Two clients, a daughter and a mother, suffered significant burns and lacerations from the explosion. Investigators arrived to discover debris scattered across the parking lot.

The damage extended to nearby places, creating a huge crime scene. Authorities quickly determined this was not an accident. This bomb had been deliberately placed at the Spa with a specific target in mind. Evidence suggested that Krajnayak was the victim of this homicide case.

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3) Explosive items were found at Beal's residence

Dateline reveals how investigators built their case through forensic evidence and surveillance footage. The investigation focused on Stephen Beal, her ex-boyfriend and business partner. Detective searched his Long Beach home the day after the explosion. They discovered approximately 130 pounds of explosive materials inside his residence, along with wire parts that raised a lot of suspicions.

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4) CCTV footage revealed more evidence

The forensic experts established that the unique wiring from his home matched the wire recovered at the Spa. Surveillance cameras captured the purchase of a nine-volt battery just a week before the explosion. More footage showed him purchasing cardboard boxes similar to those that the victim opened.

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5) The first trial ended in a mistrial

Beal was initially arrested the day after the explosion for possession of an unregistered destructive device. However, prosecutors dropped that charge when experts questioned whether the items came under legal definitions.

After his release, investigators continued gathering evidence and arrested him again on federal charges. His first trial ended in a mistrial due to jury restrictions. His second trial lasted four weeks. He was later convicted on several federal charges that included the use of a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death.

Dateline exposes how obsession and betrayal led to Ildiko Krajnyal's tragic death in a planned bombing.