GoFundMeThe body of a Scots lawyer who was found dead in Los Angeles has been flown home, as her family paid tribute.
June Bunyan moved to California to sit the bar exam after earning a law degree from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 2022.
The 37-year-old, who grew up on the Isle of Arran, dreamed of becoming a defence attorney.
She suffered “traumatic neck injuries” in an attack at her home and was pronounced dead on September 11.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives arrested Ms Bunyan’s husband, Jonathan Renteria, on suspicion of murder, disinterment, mutilation and sexual contact with human remains.
The pair had been married since June 2024 and shared a one-month-old baby.
Renteria pled not guilty to the charges and bail was set at $4m (£2.97m). A preliminary hearing has been set for November 18.
His lawyer, Shaheen F. Manshoory, said in a statement he may have been experiencing “a state of psychosis” at the time of the incident.
Following Ms Bunyan’s death, a GoFundMe was set up by her friend, Vicky Tulika, to repatriate her body to Scotland. The fund raised more than £18,000.
In an update on Tuesday, Ms Bunyan’s parents Jill and Lyle said her body has since been flown back to Scotland.
A post read: “Thank you to the incredible generosity of so many, we raised enough money to bring June home.
“There truly aren’t enough words to thank each and every person who donated, shared, or supported us in any way.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our family, but your messages of kindness, compassion, and encouragement have meant the world to us.
“It’s deeply moving to see the impact June had on so many lives…from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
‘He berated her constantly’
Arielle Miller, Ms Bunyan’s neighbour and friend, told STV News that Renteria had made comments about his wife’s weight prior to her death.
She said: “He was verbally abusive to her, berating her about her weight.
“It was a constant thing. He would send her pictures of OnlyFans models and say, ‘Why can’t you look like this?’.
“When she got pregnant, he said his ‘muscle mommy’ would be gone because she would gain weight when pregnant.”
According to court papers, Ms Bunyan had filed for a restraining order against Renteria in December 2023 at the Superior Court of California, alleging domestic violence before the pair were married.
Renteria filed a response to the restraining order request on January 17, 2024, in which he said he did not agree with the requested order.
He also claimed Ms Bunyan had contacted him and asked to speak with him in person.
She failed to appear in court the following month, and the case was dropped.
‘She was not given dignity in life and death’
Ms Miller is organising a charity bike ride this month to continue raising funds to help Ms Bunyan’s family and raise awareness of domestic violence.
Ms Miller told STV News: “It moves me to tears.
“June was not given dignity in the way he [Renteria] disrespected her in life and death.
“She was such a light of a person.
“What is so important is getting her home to her mum. So her family can have peace and closure.
“Her soul, spirit and life are somewhere else right now. Her physical form deserves to be at home with people who love and care about her.
“Her life can’t be lost in vain. Her memory lives.”
You can view the fundraiser for June Bunyan’s family here.
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