Friend of Allegedly Murdered Scottish Lawyer Calls for Justice

The tragic case of Scottish lawyer June Bunyan, who was allegedly murdered by her husband, Jonathan Renteria, in Los Angeles, has drawn public outrage. Bunyan, originally from the Isle of Arran, was reported to have suffered “traumatic neck injuries” on September 11, 2023, and her friend has publicly condemned Renteria for both his actions and his treatment of her during her life.

Renteria, 25, currently faces multiple charges including murder, mutilation, and sexual contact with human remains. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held on bail set at nearly £3 million (approximately $4 million). His court appearance has sparked a wave of grief and anger, particularly from those who knew Bunyan.

Arielle Miller, a close friend and neighbour of Bunyan, described how Renteria was verbally abusive towards her, constantly belittling her appearance. “He would send her pictures of OnlyFans models and say, ‘Why can’t you look like this?’” Miller recalled. These disturbing accounts paint a picture of a toxic relationship that allegedly culminated in violence.

Bunyan graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2022 with a law degree and moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a defence attorney. She married Renteria in June 2024 and had a one-month-old baby at the time of her death. Court documents reveal that Bunyan had sought a restraining order against Renteria in December 2023, citing domestic violence and threats to her livelihood and immigration status.

In her note to the court, she described Renteria as having wished her dead. He contested her restraining order request in January 2024, but Bunyan did not appear in court for a follow-up hearing, resulting in the case being dropped.

Miller is now organizing a charity bike ride to raise funds for Bunyan’s family to repatriate her body to the UK and to increase awareness about domestic violence. A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Bunyan’s friend, Vicky Tulika, has raised over £18,000 to support these efforts.

Reflecting on the situation, Miller expressed her sorrow, stating, “June was not given dignity in the way he [Renteria] disrespected her in life and death.” She emphasized the importance of bringing Bunyan’s remains back to her family, saying, “Her physical form deserves to go home and be with people who love and care about her.”

The GoFundMe page, set up to assist with repatriation and funeral costs, describes Bunyan as a vibrant individual known for her infectious laugh and deep compassion. Her family has expressed their grief, noting, “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 UK.”

As the legal process unfolds, Renteria’s attorney, Shaheen F. Manshoory, stated that his client may have been experiencing a state of psychosis during the incident, emphasizing the emotional distress Renteria felt over the situation regarding their child. He added, “We grieve deeply for the victim and recognize that this is an extraordinarily difficult time for all involved.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office confirmed they are supporting Bunyan’s family and remain in contact with local authorities. The ongoing developments in this case continue to resonate with those advocating for justice and highlighting the importance of addressing domestic violence issues.