GoFundMeA Scots lawyer who was found dead in Los Angeles has been remembered as “one of a kind” as mourners gathered at her funeral.
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 was laid to rest at a funeral service at Brodick Parish Church on Friday.
Ms Bunyan suffered “traumatic neck injuries” in an attack at her LA 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.
Her parents confirmed her body had been repatriated earlier this month.
Her funeral was conducted by Rev Knowledge Zinduru, minister of Isle of Arran Parish Church.
Addressing Ms Bunyan’s family and friends who had gathered to celebrate her life, he said: “From the very start, she was a bright spark – curious, sharp and full of life.
“From playgroup through primary school, she was a constant and keen learner.
Church of Scotland“June loved to tell a story – often one that got her into a bit of trouble.”
The minister said Ms Bunyan was always growing and learning and tried to find humour in every situation to make them memorable.
“June was an excellent speaker who began reciting (Robert) Burns at a very young age,” he added.
“She possessed a natural gift for the distinct tongue and rhythm required for such performances.”
He told mourners her love of learning took her from Arran to Glasgow, where she completed a creative writing and English degree, a business degree in Inverness and finally to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
Dr Zinduru said graduating with a law degree with distinction was her “proudest academic moment”.
He added: “In 2021, while studying for her law degree, June was thrown an unexpected curveball – a brain tumour.
“Something which she kept relatively private, not wanting any fuss, yet she approached surgery and recovery with her signature mix of fearless determination and humour, even arriving late for her operation, much to everyone’s disbelief.
“That was June through and through, brave, unflappable and impossible not to admire.”
Ms Bunyan worked at the homelessness charity Shelter during this period of her life, he said.
The minister said she had a lifelong friendship with Vicky Tulika, which continued after she moved to Los Angeles.
Dr Zunduru said: “June had an incredible ability to connect with people wherever she went.
“This was evident in the many floral tributes left in LA along the trail she had planned to complete, the heartfelt poems shared in her memory, the wonderfully chaotic photos sent by friends, and even a touching acknowledgement from Robert Gordon University.
“It’s truly heart-warming to hear how deeply she touched so many lives.
“June was one of a kind – clever, brave, determined, and beautifully mischievous, filling every room with laughter and every mind with stories.
“Though she’s no longer with us, her spirit will always live on – in every story told, every book unopened, and every laugh that escapes when we remember her.
“Knowing June, she’s probably up there right now, telling stories and causing chaos, just as she always did.”
Hearing set for next month on murder charge
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.
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, previously 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 organised a charity bike ride 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 [Renteria] disrespected her in life and death.
“She was such a light of a person.
“Her life can’t be lost in vain. Her memory lives.”
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