Motive sought in deadly California explosion

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Federal and state authorities are investigating whether a Southern California woman killed in an explosion that ripped through the day spa that she owned was targeted in the crime.

Authorities declined to say if they believed the victim was the target, but one official briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press the woman had been the intended recipient of an explosive package.

Remnants of a bomb were found inside the badly damaged spa where the explosion Tuesday shook the city of Aliso Viejo, about 50 miles south of Los Angeles. The blast 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 ou how the device got to the spa, Delacourt said.

The blast is believed to have been caused by a package sent to the spa, two officials told the AP.

The officials were briefed on the investigation but not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Formal identification of the body was continuing but authorities believe it was Ildiko Krajnyak, a licensed cosmetologist, who owned the spa.