A SCOTS lawyer killed in Los Angeles was allegedly murdered for “failing to lose weight” just weeks after giving birth.
Reports also claim the main suspect in the horror slaying of June Bunyan, 37, is her husband of one year, Jonathan Renteria, 25.
June Bunyan who was killed in Los Angeles was mum to a month-old baby girl
US Authorities have charged Jonathan Renteria with murder and mutilation of human remains.
June has been hailed for her “vibrant personality, infectious laugh, and deeply compassionate heart”
US Authorities have charged Renteria with murder and mutilation of human remains.
According to US reports, court records state tragic June and the defendant were married for one year and shared a one-month-old baby.
The documents are reported to allege Renteria was found in a Ventura County hotel room bleeding, with a wound to his forearm, and with a note admitting to killing his wife.
Prosecutors say that in a recorded interview, Renteria said he had an argument with the victim about her “failure to lose weight following her pregnancy,” and that she began packing and told him she would never let him see his daughter again. It goes on to say that he “admits to putting the victim in a rear-naked chokehold…” and killing her.
The documents were filed to urge the court to set Renteria’s bail to £3m which the court granted.
According to the reported filing, the victim was last seen alive on September 4, and Renteria was seen the following day, leaving with the baby in the middle of the night, and then hours later holding garbage bags.
Prosecutors say he dropped off the child at his parents‘ home and accuse him of dismembering his wife’s body.
A woman neighbour is reported to have claimed June had confided in her, describing an abusive relationship, and warned June that she feared he would kill her.
Bunyan’s loved ones say they are raising money so that she can “be laid to rest with the dignity and love she deserves, surrounded by family and friends.”
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told The Scottish Sun: “On September 11, 2025, officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department came in contact with Jonathan Renteria in Ventura County. From that contact, officers received information of a possible homicide that occurred in Hollywood.
“The Los Angeles Police Department was contacted and officers from LAPD Hollywood Area responded to Franklin Avenue for the purposes of conducting a welfare check. Officers located a female adult that had been murdered in her apartment.
“Detectives from LAPD West Bureau Homicide assumed investigative responsibility for the incident. Jonathan Renteria was arrested and booked for the murder.
“Murder charges have been filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The incident appears to be domestic violence related and there are no suspects outstanding.”
Renteria is due back in court for a preliminary hearing in November, and it appears he has pleaded not guilty.
Family and friends have launched a crowdfunder to repatriate the body of June.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is supporting Ms Bunyan’s family and said it is in contact with local authorities in the US.
Ms Bunyan’s friend Vicky Tulika set up a GoFundMe page to help her family with repatriation and funeral costs.
She wrote: “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 United States.
“Our lives are forever changed.”
The Robert Gordon University graduate, originally of Arran was “known for her vibrant personality, infectious laugh, and deeply compassionate heart”.
Ms Tulika said her friend was pursuing her “dream” of becoming a defence attorney before her life was “cut short so far from home”.
She added: “We are now faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing her back to the UK. She can then be laid to rest with the dignity and love she deserves, surrounded by family and friends.”
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