Topline: A Los Angeles man faces murder and mutilation charges after his wife was found dead in her apartment after an argument over her postpartum weight.
Published: September 30, 2025 12:00 pm ET
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From left, Jonathan Renteria who allegedly murdered his wife, June Bunyan (via Facebook)
LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities arrested Jonathan Renteria, 25, after the body of his wife, June Bunyan, 37, was found dismembered inside their Hollywood apartment.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has charged Renteria with murder, mutilation of human remains, and sexual contact with human remains, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Court records show that the couple were married for one year and had a one month old daughter together. Police did not confirm details regarding the child’s placement.
Ventura County deputies first made contact with Renteria on the morning of September 11. Deputies responded to a call regarding a suicide attempt at a motel in Ventura County. Renteria was treated for injuries to his wrists at a nearby hospital.
During their investigation at the motel, responding deputies found a handwritten note. The note, reportedly written by Renteria, stated he had killed his wife. Ventura County authorities relayed this information to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles Police Department officers proceeded to the couple’s apartment in Hollywood. Officers conducted a welfare check at the residence.
Inside the apartment, officers discovered the decomposing and dismembered body of June Bunyan. Portions of her remains were found placed inside plastic bags.
Prosecutors say Renteria gave a recorded interview. He said he argued with the victim about her failure to lose weight after her pregnancy. She then began packing and told him he would never see his daughter again. Renteria admitted to putting the victim in a rear-naked chokehold and killing her.
Bunyan was last seen alive on September 4, according to the reported filing. The following day, Renteria was seen leaving their apartment with the baby in the middle of the night. Hours later, he was seen carrying garbage bags and dropped off the child at his parents’ home.
Investigators believe Bunyan was killed roughly seven days before her body was found. The date of death is estimated to be September 4, police said. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that Bunyan suffered traumatic neck injuries.
Bunyan was originally from Scotland. She moved to the U.S. to pursue her professional aspirations, with a goal of becoming a defense attorney. ABC7 reported that Bunyan’s neighbor, Arielle Miller, said she aimed to use her law degree to protect the most vulnerable in court.
Miller also described Bunyan as friendly and outgoing. Bunyan and Miller were neighbors for about one and one-half years. She was known to everyone in the apartment complex.
According to Miller, Renteria was emotionally, verbally, financially, and sexually abusive to Bunyan. Miller said a large component of the verbal abuse involved Renteria constantly criticizing Bunyan about her weight.
Friends of Bunyan reported that she met Renteria on social media. They also described a pattern of abuse in the marriage. Miller reported that Bunyan had confided in her about problems in the relationship.
Court records showed Bunyan had filed for divorce. Friends confirmed that the divorce process was not finalized at the time of her death.
The murder sent waves of devastation through Bunyan’s friends and family, who described her as loved by many people. They expressed that she deserved dignity in death.
Bunyan’s family is currently trying to raise money through crowdfunding efforts. The funds are necessary to bring her body home to Scotland. The family wishes for Bunyan to be buried in Scotland, surrounded by her loved ones.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, a department of the United Kingdom government, is providing support to Bunyan’s family and is in contact with local authorities in the U.S.
Renteria is currently being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on $4 million bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on September 25 and remains in custody while awaiting court proceedings.
Renteria is next due in court in November and the case remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Husband Allegedly Killed Wife Over Post-Pregnancy Weight; Faces Murder Charge
A Los Angeles man faces murder and mutilation charges after his wife was found dead in her apartment after an argument over her postpartum weight.
By Kate Byrd
Published: September 30, 2025 12:00 pm ET
From left, Jonathan Renteria who allegedly murdered his wife, June Bunyan (via Facebook)
LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities arrested Jonathan Renteria, 25, after the body of his wife, June Bunyan, 37, was found dismembered inside their Hollywood apartment.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has charged Renteria with murder, mutilation of human remains, and sexual contact with human remains, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Court records show that the couple were married for one year and had a one month old daughter together. Police did not confirm details regarding the child’s placement.
Ventura County deputies first made contact with Renteria on the morning of September 11. Deputies responded to a call regarding a suicide attempt at a motel in Ventura County. Renteria was treated for injuries to his wrists at a nearby hospital.
During their investigation at the motel, responding deputies found a handwritten note. The note, reportedly written by Renteria, stated he had killed his wife. Ventura County authorities relayed this information to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles Police Department officers proceeded to the couple’s apartment in Hollywood. Officers conducted a welfare check at the residence.
Inside the apartment, officers discovered the decomposing and dismembered body of June Bunyan. Portions of her remains were found placed inside plastic bags.
Prosecutors say Renteria gave a recorded interview. He said he argued with the victim about her failure to lose weight after her pregnancy. She then began packing and told him he would never see his daughter again. Renteria admitted to putting the victim in a rear-naked chokehold and killing her.
Bunyan was last seen alive on September 4, according to the reported filing. The following day, Renteria was seen leaving their apartment with the baby in the middle of the night. Hours later, he was seen carrying garbage bags and dropped off the child at his parents’ home.
Investigators believe Bunyan was killed roughly seven days before her body was found. The date of death is estimated to be September 4, police said. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that Bunyan suffered traumatic neck injuries.
Bunyan was originally from Scotland. She moved to the U.S. to pursue her professional aspirations, with a goal of becoming a defense attorney. ABC7 reported that Bunyan’s neighbor, Arielle Miller, said she aimed to use her law degree to protect the most vulnerable in court.
Miller also described Bunyan as friendly and outgoing. Bunyan and Miller were neighbors for about one and one-half years. She was known to everyone in the apartment complex.
According to Miller, Renteria was emotionally, verbally, financially, and sexually abusive to Bunyan. Miller said a large component of the verbal abuse involved Renteria constantly criticizing Bunyan about her weight.
Friends of Bunyan reported that she met Renteria on social media. They also described a pattern of abuse in the marriage. Miller reported that Bunyan had confided in her about problems in the relationship.
Court records showed Bunyan had filed for divorce. Friends confirmed that the divorce process was not finalized at the time of her death.
The murder sent waves of devastation through Bunyan’s friends and family, who described her as loved by many people. They expressed that she deserved dignity in death.
Bunyan’s family is currently trying to raise money through crowdfunding efforts. The funds are necessary to bring her body home to Scotland. The family wishes for Bunyan to be buried in Scotland, surrounded by her loved ones.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, a department of the United Kingdom government, is providing support to Bunyan’s family and is in contact with local authorities in the U.S.
Renteria is currently being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on $4 million bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on September 25 and remains in custody while awaiting court proceedings.
Renteria is next due in court in November and the case remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Husband Allegedly Killed Wife Over Post-Pregnancy Weight; Faces Murder Charge
A Los Angeles man faces murder and mutilation charges after his wife was found dead in her apartment after an argument over her postpartum weight.
By Kate Byrd
Published: September 30, 2025 12:00 pm ET
From left, Jonathan Renteria who allegedly murdered his wife, June Bunyan (via Facebook)
LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities arrested Jonathan Renteria, 25, after the body of his wife, June Bunyan, 37, was found dismembered inside their Hollywood apartment.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has charged Renteria with murder, mutilation of human remains, and sexual contact with human remains, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Court records show that the couple were married for one year and had a one month old daughter together. Police did not confirm details regarding the child’s placement.
Ventura County deputies first made contact with Renteria on the morning of September 11. Deputies responded to a call regarding a suicide attempt at a motel in Ventura County. Renteria was treated for injuries to his wrists at a nearby hospital.
During their investigation at the motel, responding deputies found a handwritten note. The note, reportedly written by Renteria, stated he had killed his wife. Ventura County authorities relayed this information to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles Police Department officers proceeded to the couple’s apartment in Hollywood. Officers conducted a welfare check at the residence.
Inside the apartment, officers discovered the decomposing and dismembered body of June Bunyan. Portions of her remains were found placed inside plastic bags.
Prosecutors say Renteria gave a recorded interview. He said he argued with the victim about her failure to lose weight after her pregnancy. She then began packing and told him he would never see his daughter again. Renteria admitted to putting the victim in a rear-naked chokehold and killing her.
Bunyan was last seen alive on September 4, according to the reported filing. The following day, Renteria was seen leaving their apartment with the baby in the middle of the night. Hours later, he was seen carrying garbage bags and dropped off the child at his parents’ home.
Investigators believe Bunyan was killed roughly seven days before her body was found. The date of death is estimated to be September 4, police said. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that Bunyan suffered traumatic neck injuries.
Bunyan was originally from Scotland. She moved to the U.S. to pursue her professional aspirations, with a goal of becoming a defense attorney. ABC7 reported that Bunyan’s neighbor, Arielle Miller, said she aimed to use her law degree to protect the most vulnerable in court.
Miller also described Bunyan as friendly and outgoing. Bunyan and Miller were neighbors for about one and one-half years. She was known to everyone in the apartment complex.
According to Miller, Renteria was emotionally, verbally, financially, and sexually abusive to Bunyan. Miller said a large component of the verbal abuse involved Renteria constantly criticizing Bunyan about her weight.
Friends of Bunyan reported that she met Renteria on social media. They also described a pattern of abuse in the marriage. Miller reported that Bunyan had confided in her about problems in the relationship.
Court records showed Bunyan had filed for divorce. Friends confirmed that the divorce process was not finalized at the time of her death.
The murder sent waves of devastation through Bunyan’s friends and family, who described her as loved by many people. They expressed that she deserved dignity in death.
Bunyan’s family is currently trying to raise money through crowdfunding efforts. The funds are necessary to bring her body home to Scotland. The family wishes for Bunyan to be buried in Scotland, surrounded by her loved ones.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, a department of the United Kingdom government, is providing support to Bunyan’s family and is in contact with local authorities in the U.S.
Renteria is currently being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on $4 million bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on September 25 and remains in custody while awaiting court proceedings.
Renteria is next due in court in November and the case remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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