FBI links bomb items to California suspect's home, car

Federal authorities say a 59-year-old Long Beach man was arrested in connection to an Aliso Viejo spa explosion that killed is ex-girlfriend last year after materials similar to those used in the bomb were found in his home and car.

Stephen Beal was arrested on suspicion of malicious destruction of a building that included a death. The charge carries a possible life sentence.

Investigators say 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak was killed and two female clients were seriously injured on May 15 when she opened a box that erupted in a fiery explosion at the spa in Aliso Viejo.

Beal's lawyer declined to comment.

FBI's assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles office Paul Delacourt says the blast blew out a big section of the building and authorities who first arrived thought they were dealing with a car bombing or gas main rupture.

He says the FBI busted down Beal's front and garage doors to search his home in Long Beach after the explosion and he was taken into custody.

Beal was arrested at the time on suspicion of possessing explosives but was released after prosecutors dropped the charge, saying they had questions about whether material found in Beal's house met the legal definition of a "destructive device."