The tragic death of June Bunyan, a Scottish lawyer who moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, has sent shockwaves through communities on both sides of the Atlantic. On September 11, 2025, Bunyan’s decomposing and dismembered body was discovered in her Los Feliz apartment, marking a horrifying end to a journey that began with hope and ambition. Her husband, Jonathan Renteria, 25, has been arrested and charged with her murder, as well as with mutilation, disinterment, and sexual contact with human remains, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and reporting by the BBC.
The case has gripped both Los Angeles and Scotland, not only because of the brutality of the crime but also due to the complex, troubled relationship that preceded it. Bunyan, originally from Arran, Scotland, moved to America in 2023 to build a new life and career. Friends say she was a passionate lawyer who focused on defending the most vulnerable in court, and she quickly made a home for herself in the city’s vibrant Los Feliz neighborhood. Her apartment, friends recall, was decorated with American flags and Independence Day trimmings—a testament to her love for her new country. “She loved America. She said it was a dream of hers to come to this country,” her friend and neighbor Arielle Miller told the BBC.
But behind the scenes, Bunyan’s relationship with Renteria was fraught with turmoil. In December 2023, Bunyan applied for a domestic violence restraining order against Renteria, citing a series of disturbing threats and emotional abuse. Court documents reveal that she accused Renteria of threatening to “ruin her life,” wishing she was dead, making derogatory comments about her appearance, and even threatening to interfere with her immigration status. She also alleged that he threatened to contact her personal and professional contacts. The restraining order request came after an incident in which Renteria became aggressive while collecting his belongings from her home.
Despite these alarming claims, the case was dropped when Bunyan failed to appear in court in January 2024. Renteria, for his part, dismissed her allegations as having been made “out of spite,” and presented text messages suggesting the couple had reconciled. In one message from late December, Bunyan referred to Renteria as "a blessing in my life." By later in 2024, the pair had married, and it is understood they had a young child together, according to the BBC and ABC News.
The events leading up to Bunyan’s death remain the subject of intense investigation. On September 11, 2025, police responded to calls of an attempted suicide involving Renteria. He was treated for his injuries at a hospital, but during the investigation, authorities discovered a handwritten note in which Renteria allegedly confessed to killing his wife. This note led Los Angeles police to the couple’s apartment, where they found Bunyan’s body, which had suffered traumatic neck injuries and showed signs of dismemberment and decomposition. The details are harrowing, and the charges reflect the severity of the alleged acts. Renteria has pled not guilty to all charges, and his bail was set at $4 million (about £2.97 million). A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2025.
The discovery of Bunyan’s death has left her friends and family devastated. Arielle Miller, who lived near Bunyan and became close to her over the last 18 months, expressed deep regret: “I didn’t do enough. I didn’t fight hard enough for her to get the help that she needed,” she told ABC News. Miller described Bunyan as “a kind and funny person” who was “driven to succeed” and who hoped to become a U.S. citizen. She emphasized that Bunyan’s life should not be defined by her tragic end, saying, “She cannot disappear into obscurity—the important thing is she doesn’t get lost in the depravity of the crime.”
Bunyan’s dedication to her legal career was evident to those who knew her. After studying law at Robert Gordon University in Scotland, she established Renteria Paralegal Services in Los Angeles, specializing in immigration law. Friends say she was committed to helping others navigate complex legal systems and was well-loved by many. Her mother and brother, Jill and Lyle Bunyan, described her as “our beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend” in a statement on a GoFundMe page set up to help repatriate her remains to Scotland. “June’s life was cut short so far from home, and we are now faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing her back to the U.K. She can then be laid to rest with the dignity and love she deserves, surrounded by family and friends,” they wrote.
The fundraising effort, organized by Bunyan’s best friend Vicky Tulika, has resonated deeply with people in both the U.K. and the U.S. As of September 30, 2025, the campaign had raised nearly $31,800 (almost £17,000) to cover funeral, burial, legal, and travel expenses. Miller is also organizing a group bike ride to help ensure Bunyan’s remains can be returned home. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has stated it is supporting Bunyan’s family and is in contact with local authorities in America.
The crime has also exposed gaps in the system meant to protect victims of domestic violence. Bunyan’s initial attempt to seek a restraining order, only to later reconcile and marry her alleged abuser, is a painful reminder of how complicated and fraught such situations can become. According to court papers, Bunyan herself acknowledged feeling drained and that the relationship had affected her mental health. The case has prompted renewed calls for better support for victims and greater awareness of the warning signs of domestic abuse.
Newspaper reports have quoted Renteria’s father as saying the family was unaware he was married to Bunyan, a claim corroborated by Miller, who said the couple did not always live together. Renteria would sometimes vanish for weeks or months before reappearing, she noted. The couple’s private struggles were largely hidden from public view, even as Bunyan continued to build her career and community in Los Angeles.
As the legal process unfolds, Bunyan’s loved ones are determined to keep her memory alive. “June was loved by so many people, and she didn’t deserve the way that she was disrespected, and she deserves dignity in death,” Miller told ABC News. For those who knew her, the focus remains on honoring her legacy as a passionate advocate, a loving friend, and a woman who crossed an ocean to chase her dreams.
While the trial ahead may bring more painful details to light, Bunyan’s story has already left a mark—on her friends, her family, and the many she sought to help. Her journey from Arran to Los Angeles was cut tragically short, but the outpouring of support in the wake of her death ensures she will not be forgotten.
