Signs of bomb found at site of day spa blast
ALISO VIEJO (California): An explosion that ripped through a Southern California day spa killed the owner, and investigators were looking into whether she was targeted in the crime.
Authorities declined to publicly say if they believed the spa owner was targeted, but one official briefed on the investigation on Wednesday said she had been the intended recipient of an explosive package.
Remnants of an explosive device were found inside the badly damaged spa where the powerful explosion on Tuesday afternoon shook the city of Aliso Viejo, south of Los Angeles, and tore a corner off the building that houses medical offices. Two patrons were seriously injured.
“We do not believe this was an accident,” said Paul Delacourt, special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Los Angeles.
“Although the damage was extensive, there are some components that we have located at the scene of the explosion that are inconsistent with what one might expect to find at this business.”
Investigators were working to determine a motive and figure out exactly how the device got to the spa, Delacourt said.
No arrests were made.
The blast is believed to have been caused by a package sent to the spa, said two officials.
The spa owner was believed to be the target, one official said. The officials were briefed on the investigation but not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Formal identification of the body was continuing but authorities believe it was Ildiko Krajnyak, 48, a licensed cosmetologist, who owned
the spa. Friends set up a fundraising campaign to cover her funeral costs and fly her son home from Seattle, where he attends college.
Irene White, a friend, read a statement Wednesday on behalf of Krajnyak’s family, calling her death “a complete shock.”
The family asked for privacy as they mourn “a mother, a wife, a daughter and a friend.”
The two customers injured underwent surgery Wednesday and were expected to survive. A third victim was treated for smoke inhalation. — AP