In a case that has sent shockwaves through both the Scottish and Los Angeles communities, 37-year-old June Bunyan, a Scottish lawyer originally from the Isle of Arran, was found dead in her Hollywood apartment on September 11, 2025. The discovery, made after her husband Jonathan Renteria, 25, was located barely conscious in a Ventura County motel, has unraveled a harrowing story of domestic turmoil, alleged abuse, and a tragic end to a woman who had crossed continents to pursue her dreams.
According to the BBC and The Scottish Sun, Bunyan’s body was found with traumatic neck injuries, and authorities believe she was strangled in a chokehold before her body was dismembered and left in black bin bags inside her apartment. The Los Angeles Police Department, responding to information provided by Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies and a note left by Renteria confessing to the crime, made the grim discovery after neighbors reported a foul odor emanating from the flat.
Jonathan Renteria, now facing charges of murder and the mutilation, disinterment, and sexual contact with human remains, has pleaded not guilty. His bail has been set at a staggering $4 million (approximately £2.97 million), and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2025. The case has drawn attention not only for its brutality but also for the complex personal history between the couple, which included allegations of domestic violence, a brief separation, and a reconciliation that led to marriage and the birth of a daughter.
Renteria’s defense attorney, Shaheen F. Manshoory, released a statement seeking to explain his client’s state of mind at the time of the killing. “My client may have been experiencing a state of psychosis at the time of this tragic incident, and was deeply distressed by the victim’s threats to take his only child away from him, possibly to another county, which would have meant he could no longer be a part of her life,” Manshoory said, as reported by BBC and The Scottish Sun. He added, “We grieve deeply for the victim and recognize that this is an extraordinarily difficult time for all involved. Ultimately, the legal process will run its course in court, and in time we hope to arrive at a just and fair resolution.”
The events leading up to Bunyan’s death paint a portrait of a relationship under strain. In December 2023, Bunyan filed for a restraining order against Renteria, citing prolonged abuse and stating that he “wished she was dead.” However, the case was dropped when she did not appear for a court hearing the following month. According to BBC Scotland, the couple reconciled, married later in 2024, and welcomed a young child. Friends and neighbors, however, described a relationship marred by control and verbal abuse. Neighbor Arielle Miller told US-based Eyewitness News that Bunyan confided in her about Renteria’s controlling behavior, saying, “He didn’t want her to talk to certain people. He was verbally abusive. Something in particular he would always comment on was her body and her weight.”
The prosecution’s report, cited by The Scottish Sun, suggests that the fatal argument began when Bunyan started packing to leave their home, telling Renteria he would not see their baby daughter again. The dispute reportedly escalated after Renteria criticized Bunyan for not losing weight quickly enough following childbirth. CCTV footage captured Renteria leaving the apartment with their one-month-old daughter on September 5, and later returning with black bin bags before driving 40 miles to a motel in Newbury Park, California. In the aftermath, Renteria allegedly confessed to the murder in both a note found at the motel and in an email to his father, as well as during a police interview.
June Bunyan’s journey to America was driven by ambition and a desire to help others. After earning her law degree from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 2022, she moved to the United States in 2023 to sit the bar exam and pursue a career as a defense attorney. She established Renteria Paralegal Services, specializing in immigration law, and quickly became a well-liked figure in her Los Angeles community. Neighbors described her as “the most popular person in their apartment block,” and her friends and family have spoken of her “vibrant personality, infectious laugh, and deeply compassionate heart.”
Her family’s grief has been compounded by the challenge of repatriating her body to Scotland. A fundraiser launched by her mother, Jill, and brother, Lyle, has already raised over £13,000, reflecting the outpouring of support from both sides of the Atlantic. In a statement, they said, “With unimaginable heartbreak, we share the devastating news that our beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, June Bunyan, was tragically taken from us due to a violent crime in the US. Our lives are forever changed. She was only 37. June was known for her vibrant personality, infectious laugh, and deeply compassionate heart. Exceptionally accomplished, she held multiple degrees, but her proudest achievement was earning her law degree. Driven by courage and determination, June moved to America to sit the bar exam and pursue her dream of becoming a defence attorney.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed it is supporting Bunyan’s family and is in contact with US authorities, ensuring that the legal and logistical aspects of the case are being managed across international lines.
As the legal process unfolds, the case has also reignited conversations about domestic abuse and the challenges faced by victims. The Scottish Sun included advice from Women’s Aid and SupportLine for those experiencing domestic violence, urging anyone in danger to seek help and highlighting resources available for support. The tragedy of June Bunyan’s death underscores the importance of recognizing warning signs and providing timely intervention for those at risk.
For now, the community that June Bunyan left behind—both in Scotland and in Los Angeles—mourns the loss of a woman remembered for her ambition, kindness, and resilience. As the preliminary hearing for Jonathan Renteria approaches, many hope that the legal process will bring answers and a measure of justice to a case marked by heartbreak and loss.
