HORRIFIC Confession Shocks Los Angeles Police

Gavel on wooden table in dimly lit room.

A 25-year-old Los Angeles man murdered and dismembered his Scottish wife because she failed to lose weight after giving birth to their child, revealing the depths of domestic violence that claimed the life of an aspiring defense attorney who came to America seeking a better future.

Story Highlights

  • Jonathan Renteria confessed to strangling his wife June Bunyan over postpartum weight concerns
  • The 37-year-old Scottish immigrant had recently passed the U.S. bar exam to become a defense attorney
  • Renteria dismembered her body and attempted suicide before being arrested with $4 million bail
  • The couple’s one-month-old daughter is now in extended family care

Confessed Killer Details Heinous Motive

Jonathan Renteria, 25, provided a chilling confession to Los Angeles police after murdering his wife June Bunyan on September 4, 2025. In both a handwritten note and recorded interview, Renteria admitted to using a rear-naked chokehold to strangle his 37-year-old wife during an argument about her postpartum weight. The dispute escalated when June threatened to leave and take their one-month-old daughter, prompting the fatal attack in their Hollywood apartment.

Prosecutors have labeled the crime “particularly heinous and egregious,” noting the extreme brutality of dismembering the victim’s body. Renteria faces charges of murder and mutilation of human remains, with bail set at $4 million. The confession reveals a disturbing pattern of control and violence that tragically ended an immigrant’s pursuit of the American dream.

Scottish Immigrant’s American Dreams Destroyed

June Bunyan moved from Scotland to Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming a defense attorney, having recently completed her law degree and passed the U.S. bar exam. Her dedication to building a legal career in America represented the traditional immigrant story of seeking opportunity and success through hard work. The new mother was working to establish herself professionally while caring for her infant daughter.

Neighbors reported a history of verbal abuse and controlling behavior from Renteria, indicating a pattern of domestic violence that escalated to murder. The relationship showed classic signs of an abusive dynamic, where the perpetrator sought to control and dominate his victim. June’s immigrant status and new motherhood may have increased her vulnerability, making it difficult to seek help or escape the dangerous situation.

Timeline Reveals Calculated Cover-Up Attempt

Following the September 4 murder, Renteria was observed leaving the apartment on September 5 carrying their baby and later returning with garbage bags, suggesting a deliberate attempt to dispose of evidence. The calculated nature of his actions after the crime demonstrates premeditation in concealing the horrific act. For nearly a week, he maintained the facade while his wife’s dismembered remains lay hidden in their home.

On September 11, Ventura County authorities found Renteria in a hotel room after a suicide attempt, where they discovered his confession note. Police simultaneously discovered June’s dismembered body in the Hollywood apartment, confirming the details outlined in his written admission. Renteria was arrested on September 12 and is currently held at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center awaiting trial.

This case underscores the devastating reality of domestic violence that destroys families and claims innocent lives. The victim’s family is now raising funds for repatriation and legal support while caring for the orphaned infant. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that domestic abuse can escalate to murder, particularly when perpetrators seek to maintain control over their victims through violence and intimidation.

Sources:

UK woman killed Hollywood – Los Angeles Times

Scottish woman dismembered in ‘heinous’ Los Angeles murder, husband charged: Prosecutors – ABC News

June Bunyan death: Jonathan Renteria charged, Scottish woman murdered, dismembered in Los Angeles – ABC7

Hollywood murder: Scottish woman June Bunyan, husband charged – Desert Sun