Connect with us

News

Mother seeks answers about daughter’s death in LA, faces two-year wait

Jill Bunyan is seeking answers regarding the death of her daughter, June, who was discovered dismembered in her California residence in the previous year.

June Bunyan's life was marked by a sense of adventure and a desire to explore new horizons.

Jill and June after a graduation ceremony. Jill, on the left, is wearing a white lace top and June is wearing a black and purple graduation gown. They are standing in front of a tree.
Jill Bunyan pictured with her daughter June at a university graduation

Raised on a Scottish island, June made the significant move to California in 2023, driven by her ambition to become a defense attorney in the US.

It was through their shared interest in martial arts that June, a law graduate, met 25-year-old Jonathan Renteria, a resident of Los Angeles, online.

The couple eventually got married and welcomed a baby daughter, Regina, in July 2025.

Back in her hometown on the island of Arran, June's mother, Jill Bunyan, maintained regular contact with her daughter, who expressed her joy and excitement about the new addition to their family.

Tragically, less than two months after Regina's birth, June's life was cut short when her dismembered body was discovered in her Los Angeles apartment, leading to her husband's arrest and charge with her murder.

Renteria has entered a plea of not guilty, with his lawyer suggesting that he may have been experiencing psychotic episodes at the time of the incident.

Readers are advised that the following content may be disturbing and upsetting.

In a heartfelt tribute, Jill Bunyan remembers her daughter as a bright and loving individual who was easy to love.

Jill's desire for truth and justice is palpable as she expresses her frustration with the prolonged court process, which could take up to two years to reach a conclusion.

The waiting game is taking a toll on Jill, who feels that the delay is hindering her ability to grieve and move forward.

Jill's emotional pain is evident as she describes her current state as a living hell, relying on medication to cope with the trauma.

Compounding her grief is the lack of contact with her granddaughter, Regina, and the disappearance of June's personal belongings, leaving Jill feeling devastated and helpless.

Jill's anguish is further exacerbated by the fact that she has lost her daughter, is unable to see her granddaughter, and has been left with no personal mementos of June's.

The family is now facing a costly and complex legal battle in the US to secure custody of Regina and to take action against Renteria regarding June's missing property, prompting them to set up a crowdfunding campaign to cover the expenses.

Jill's hope is that one day her granddaughter will be able to join her in Scotland.

A woman with dark hair holding a baby, looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a black top and has tattoos on her neck and chest.
June had been ecstatic about the arrival of her baby daughter

Although it is believed that Regina is currently in the care of Renteria's parents, BBC News has been unable to confirm this information.

Jill's primary concern is Regina's well-being, and she wishes for her granddaughter to be placed in care until the court can conduct a thorough investigation and make a fair decision regarding custody.

After relocating to Los Angeles, June established a paralegal service, with the ultimate goal of passing the US bar exam to practice law in California.

Early in their relationship, June had filed a restraining order against Renteria, citing domestic violence, although the claim was later withdrawn.

June's body was discovered on September 11, and her mother believes she may have been killed a week prior, sparking a desperate quest for truth about the circumstances surrounding her death.

A row of white apartments in a block with a black roof, in Hollywood, Los Angeles
June was found dead in her flat in LA

The police investigation began after Renteria was found injured in a hotel room, alongside a note in which he confessed to June's murder.

Jill is resolute in her pursuit of transparency, seeking to uncover the facts surrounding her daughter's death and to make them public.

The autopsy report revealed that June suffered traumatic neck injuries and approximately 10 sharp force injuries, with one of her arms still missing.

Jill fears that baby Regina may have been present in the apartment when June was killed, adding to her distress.

The initial lack of identification documents at the crime scene led to June being classified as a "Jane Doe," a fact that Jill finds particularly distressing.

June wearing a black NY baseball cap and black clothing. Behind her is water and then the skyline of San Francisco.
June moved to California in 2023

A police document indicates that June's passport and other personal papers were recovered from Renteria's parents three months after her death, although the circumstances surrounding this discovery are unclear.

Jill attributes the delay in repatriating June's body to the absence of her passport, which would have simplified the process.

BBC News attempted to contact Renteria's parents to inquire about June's passport and Regina's current custody arrangement but was unsuccessful.

Renteria's lawyer stated that the family would not be responding to any questions from BBC News.

Renteria has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, and a court hearing is scheduled to take place in California next month.

A woman in a burgundy jacket, with her hood up, looking at a grave on the edge of a cemetery. In the background is a view of trees, fields and houses.
Jill visits her daughter's grave in Arran nearly every day

The Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney's office have declined to comment on the investigation and prosecution, respectively.

Jill remembers her daughter as a vibrant and loving person, whose memory she wishes to honor.

Jill finds solace in visiting June's grave on the island of Arran, where she often talks to her daughter, finding comfort in the ritual.

Jill's desire for closure and understanding is clear: she needs to know what happened to her daughter, even though she acknowledges that June can never be brought back.

Jill's parting words are a testament to her daughter's worth, stating that June deserved a better life and a more dignified end.

News

UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

Continue Reading

News

GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

Continue Reading

News

Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair -  smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible.
Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera.  He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night.
Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

Continue Reading

Trending