Suvechha Sarkar
The day of May 15, 2018, began like any other for Ildiko Krajnyak. She never imagined that an unexpected explosion in her day spa at Aliso Viejo, California, would lead to her untimely demise. The shocking act of violence stunned not just the community but also her loved ones. The episode titled ‘Death at the Spa’ of NBC’s ‘Dateline’ focuses on the case’s investigation, which revealed that her former boyfriend and business partner, Stephen Beal, was responsible for her murder. The episode also features interviews with her friends, family, and the officials who helped bring the killer to justice.
Keanu Vestil Holds Onto His Mother’s Memories While Leading a Life Away From the Spotlight
Keanu Laszlo Vestil was at his university in Seattle, Washington, where he was preparing for his finals. That was when he received the horrifying news that his mother, Ildiko Krajnyak, had passed away from a fatal explosion in Aliso Viejo, California. It shattered his heart completely. Keanu soon faced another predicament since he was unable to return to California for his mother’s funeral. It prompted him to seek help from Ildiko’s friends and family members to raise funds for his return and also for the memorial. Ultimately, a GoFundMe campaign was created that raised $24,670 for the cause. During one of his interviews following his unimaginable loss, Keanu expressed his grief, stating, “It’s just all so sudden that a lot of this is still very raw, and still really hard to process for everybody.”
Keanu also expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped in raising the funds, saying, “I just want to express my gratitude for all the love and support that I’ve gotten from everybody in the last two days. It’s just been a lot.” Long before Ildiko lost her life, she reportedly did her best to make her business successful so that her son could do what he wanted. After graduating from high school, Keanu proceeded to pursue higher education at the University of Washington in Seattle. Following May 15, 2018, he even began his own namesake blog, where he penned his thoughts and feelings regarding the incidents that created a significant impact on his life, which included his mother’s death and the time when he allegedly tried to die by suicide.
The most recent of his entries was in May 2021, where he wrote, “I treat this as a way to share my thoughts with those who are interested. I seek nothing in return. Each year, I write about whatever I would want people to know about me at the time.” In that very same month, the University of Washington announced Keanu as the Sousaphone Section Leader for the Husky band. Apart from that, he is exceptionally fluent in three languages: Hungarian, Spanish, and English. In his personal life, he is pretty close to his father, Ronilo Vestil, and his uncle, Laszlo Krajnyak. As of writing, Keanu has chosen to step back from the spotlight and appears to be maintaining a quiet life. He continues to keep the memories of his beloved mother alive in his heart as he moves forward in his life.
Laszlo Krajnyak Finds Strength in the Presence of His Children and Grandkids
While growing up, Ildiko had always been quite close to her mother, Julianna Krajnyak, and her beloved brother, Laszlo Krajnyak. When she moved to California around 1998 to pursue her dreams, her mother followed her soon after. According to reports, when Ildiko passed away in May 2018, Julianna was facing health problems. Ildiko took on the responsibility of looking after her mother, and they even lived together, along with her former husband, Ronilo, with whom she maintained an amicable relationship. Similarly, Laszlo always adored his sister. It became evident from their time together whenever she visited him in Hungary or traveled to different foreign locations with him. He had reportedly revealed that Ildiko visited Hungary three weeks before her death. Just a few days before the tragedy, in May 2018, Ildiko had shared pictures with Laszlo.
Those pictures showcased the incredible time the brother and sister spent lounging in the swimming pool and simply taking Julianna out for meals. When the officials were investigating the murder of Ildiko, he didn’t hesitate to let the authorities know who he suspected. He stated, “When I was last in America, a man applied to Ildikó to become a partner in her company. My sister didn’t want the partnership. I’m sure they wanted to get her out of the business.” Laszlo faced another major heartbreak in September 2018 when Julianna sadly passed away. He announced the news, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my Dear Mother has gone to the Angels, my Dear Sister. May the good Lord take care of You, my Beloved.” Despite the profound losses, Laszlo refuses to let it define his life.
In May 2018, Laszlo was working as the head of the Land Management Department in Tiszaújváros, Hungary. Currently, he is making his mark as a Technical Manager at a Tiszaújváros City Nonprofit organization. His personal life is deeply rooted in the presence of his loved ones, especially his son and daughter. Laszlo also becomes overjoyed whenever he gets to spend time with his precious grandkids. Furthermore, he always treats his nephew, Keanu, to dinner at several restaurants whenever Laszlo visits California. Laszlo is also an avid traveler who enjoyed the beautiful landscapes of Austria in August 2025, followed by his trip to Ayia Napa, Cyprus, in September. Three months later, Laszlo ventured to the snow-capped mountains of Slovakia. Amid everything, he continues to hold the good memories of his sister close to his heart.
Eva Boni Upholds Ildiko’s Values Through Her Professional Journey
In the show, Eva Boni, Ildiko’s cousin, expressed how the latter always inspired her. When Ildiko came to California to pursue her dreams, it also helped Eva become courageous and follow her cousin’s lead. She reminisced about Ildiko, stating, “She was very independent and very ambitious all the time.” Eva continued, “She was a comedian, telling jokes, laughing all the time. She was very motivated to work and very stylish. She’s just so friendly and just full of life.” Following Stephen’s sentencing, she attended a press conference and said, “After five years of waiting and wondering, our family and friends have peace knowing that Mr. Beal will spend his remaining days in prison.” Before the tragic loss rocked her life, Eva diligently began working to create a noticeable path for herself.
Originally from Gönc, Hungary, Eva started her career at Feher Hollo Pharmacy from 1996 to 2000. By 2008, she stepped into the position of a Special Education Teacher at Top of the World Elementary School in California. Since 2013, Eva has also been working at El Morro Elementary School. On a personal level, she cherishes every single moment she spends with her family members. Friendship also plays a vital role in her life as she often finds solace in their presence, whether it be visiting amusement parks with them or going on occasional lunches. Eva is also someone who enjoys the festive season and always celebrates it, especially Christmas. Although she has moved on, Eva often remembers the time she spent with Ildiko, whose absence has left a gaping hole in her heart.
Read: Valerie Stone: What Happened to Stephen Beal’s Fiancé?
