
A Scottish woman who had built a career as a defense attorney in the United States was killed and dismembered by her husband, a case that has drawn attention to the severe risks associated with domestic violence.
Story Snapshot
- Jonathan Renteria, 25, confessed to the murder of his wife, June Renteria, 37, and subsequent dismemberment of her body.
- The attack stemmed from a domestic dispute related to the victim’s post-pregnancy weight, occurring one month after she gave birth.
- June Renteria, a Scottish immigrant and aspiring defense attorney, was found in the couple’s Hollywood apartment.
- Prosecutors described the crime as “particularly heinous and egregious,” with bail set at $4 million.
- Neighbors reported a pattern of psychological abuse and controlling behavior preceding the murder.
Heinous Crime Shocks Hollywood Community
Jonathan Renteria murdered his wife June Renteria (née Bunyan) in their Hollywood apartment on September 5, 2025. The suspect utilized a jiu-jitsu chokehold during an argument reportedly centered on the victim’s inability to lose weight after childbirth. Renteria, 25, then dismembered his wife’s body in an attempt to conceal the crime, storing her remains in their shared residence while their one-month-old infant was present. Prosecutors have charged Renteria with murder and mutilation of human remains.
Man chokes wife to death and dismembers her body because she couldn't lose weight after giving birth, police say https://t.co/BKzP1JkReV pic.twitter.com/6Lji23NIoG
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 1, 2025
Victim’s Dreams Cut Short by Domestic Violence
June Renteria, 37, immigrated from Scotland to Los Angeles to pursue a legal career as a defense attorney. Neighbors described her as engaging and compassionate. However, residents reported that June had expressed concerns about her husband’s increasingly controlling behavior and psychological abuse, which intensified after the birth of their child, focusing particularly on criticism of her body and weight.
This case reflects patterns of domestic violence where controlling behavior can escalate to severe criminal acts, often targeting a victim’s vulnerability during major life transitions, such as the postpartum period.
Pattern of Abuse Escalated to Murder
Neighbors reported witnessing an escalation of verbal and psychological abuse by Jonathan Renteria toward his wife. The observed controlling behavior intensified following the birth of their child, focusing on criticism of her postpartum physical changes. This pattern is consistent with documented risk factors for domestic homicide, where abusers exert control in response to perceived threats to their dominance.
Investigation Reveals Calculated Cover-Up
Police discovered the murder after locating Jonathan Renteria in a Ventura County hotel room on September 11, where he was found with self-inflicted wounds and a confession note. Investigators subsequently located June’s decomposed and dismembered remains in the couple’s Hollywood apartment. Witnesses reported observing Renteria leaving the apartment with their infant child on September 5 and later returning with garbage bags, suggesting premeditated actions to dispose of evidence and conceal the crime.
Justice System Responds to Brutal Crime
Renteria remains in custody with bail set at $4 million, a figure reflecting the severity of the charges and flight risk concerns. He faces charges of murder and mutilation of human remains, with prosecutors noting the exceptionally egregious nature of the case. The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for November. The infant child has been placed into the care of extended family members, and the victim’s family is coordinating efforts to repatriate her remains to Scotland.
Sources:
Scottish woman dismembered in ‘heinous’ Los Angeles murder, husband charged: Prosecutors
Jonathan Renteria charged with murder in death of June Bunyan
Hollywood murder: Scottish woman June Bunyan, husband charged












