June Bunyan, 37, originally from the Isle of Arran, was found dismembered at her home in Los Angeles, California, on September 11.
The family of a lawyer who was brutally murdered in the US have launched a fundraising bid to cover a legal fight to bring her baby to Scotland.
New mum June Bunyan, 37, from the Isle of Arran, was found dismembered at her home in Los Angeles, California, on September 11. Police in America were called to June’s flat after her husband Jonathan Renteria was found injured in a hotel room alongside a note where he confessed to killing her.
Renteria, 25, is currently behind bars on suspicion of murder, disinterment, mutilation and sexual contact with human remains. He has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer has suggested he may have been experiencing psychosis at the time of June’s death.
June’s baby girl Regina remains in the US with Renteria’s parents. Her family have launched a custody battle to bring her baby home to Scotland but need £40,000 to foot the legal costs.
A newly launched online fundraiser has raised more than £1000 in a few hours. The Bunyan family believe the infant’s best interests “lie in being reunited with her maternal family in Scotland, where she can grow up surrounded by love, stability, and a strong connection to her mother’s heritage”.
A statement from June’s family reads: “We are raising funds to secure urgent legal representation to bring June Bunyan’s baby daughter, Regina, home to Scotland to be with her maternal family.
“Following June’s tragic death in September, her baby remains in the US, separated from her mother’s family and from everything that connected June to her life in Scotland. Most distressingly for us, Regina has been placed in the care of her paternal grandparents, while her father is currently remanded in custody, accused of killing her mother.
“For many reasons, this is deeply concerning and should never be the long-term outcome for a child who has already suffered such an unimaginable loss. We firmly believe that Regina’s best interests lie in being reunited with her maternal family in Scotland, where she can grow up surrounded by love, stability, and a strong connection to her mother’s heritage.
“Achieving this, however, means navigating complex and time-sensitive international family law, something we simply cannot do without experienced legal representation.”
Her family claims when her body was discovered by police, her personal belongings, including her passport, were missing.
The statement continues: “When June’s body was found on September 11, her apartment had been completely emptied. Everything that connected June to her life was gone: her passport and identification, bank details, health insurance information, medical records, and all essential documents relating to Regina.
“There are many unresolved questions regarding the removal of June’s possessions, the whereabouts currently unknown. June’s passport and other official documents are currently being held by the LAPD, following their recovery from Regina’s grandparents.
“As a result, we are facing further devastating obstacles at a time when we are simply trying to grieve. Without access to these vital records, we do not know whether June had funds, health insurance, or any financial resources. We do not have access to her bank account, we have received no meaningful assistance from the authorities, and we have no means to cover urgent legal costs.”
Earlier this week, June’s mum Jill Bunyan told how she is living in hell as she faces a two-year wait for answers about her daughter’s death.
She told the BBC: “It’s two years you can’t grieve, it’s two years you can’t move on, it’s two years you’re just waiting. We’re in hell. This is a nightmare.
“I lost my daughter. Right now I can’t see my granddaughter and I have not one thing, not one possession of my daughter’s – and I want to know why.”
June moved from Scotland to the US to pursue a career in law. She had set up a paralegal service after she moved to LA and met Renteria. Shortly after they couple got together, June filed a restraining order against him citing domestic violence. That claim was later dropped.
In September last year, officers discovered June’s torso with missing limbs. The autopsy stated the cause of death was traumatic neck injuries and that June suffered approximately 10 “sharp force injuries.”
The couple had welcomed their baby months before her murder.
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