By Associated Press - Monday, March 4, 2019

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Latest on the arrest of a California man for an explosion that killed his ex-girlfriend and injured two others last year (all times local):

3:01 p.m.

A California man arrested in a deadly spa explosion that killed his ex-girlfriend has been ordered detained after a court appearance.

Stephen Beal was charged Monday in federal court with malicious destruction of a building that included a death. Conviction of the crime could lead to a life sentence.

Authorities say Beal was linked to the killing of Ildiko Krajnyak by investigators who found materials at the bomb site that were similar to those found in Beal’s house and car.

Beal has previously denied involvement in the blast that also seriously injured two spa customers.

He did not enter a plea during the hearing and was scheduled to be arraigned March 25.

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10:12 a.m.

Federal authorities say they arrested a California man in a spa explosion that killed his ex-girlfriend last year after similar explosive materials and chemicals were found in his home and car.

The FBI and federal prosecutors on Monday said that Stephen Beal faces a charge of malicious destruction of a building that included a death.

Beal is charged in the May 15 bombing that killed 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak in her Orange County spa. The charge carries a possible life sentence.

Beal had been arrested on suspicion of having explosives last year but prosecutors dropped it soon after and he was freed.

Beal’s lawyer declined to comment.

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9:22 p.m.

The FBI is set to release details about the arrest of a California man in an explosion that killed his ex-girlfriend and injured two others last year.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said Sunday that 59-year-old Stephen Beal was arrested and his home south of Los Angeles was searched.

Eimiller declined to detail the charges but says they’re in connection with the May 15 bombing that killed 48-year-old Ildiko Krajnyak in her Orange County spa. She said more information would be released at a news conference on Monday.

Beal had been arrested on suspicion of having explosives last year but prosecutors dropped it soon after and he was freed.

Beal had not been named a suspect in the blast.

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