June Bunyan's mother still seeks answers after LA killing as prosecution service apologises
Jill Bunyan says the lack of information from US authorities about her daughter June's killing in Los Angeles has been heartbreaking, and she still does not know who is caring for June's baby.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A year after the killing
More than a year after June Bunyan was killed in Los Angeles, her mother Jill Bunyan says the lack of information from US authorities has been heartbreaking. Jill, who lives on the Isle of Arran, is trying to follow the American legal system from Scotland.
June, a 37-year-old law graduate, moved to Los Angeles in 2023. She was killed and her body was dismembered in September last year. Her husband, Jonathan Renteria, has been charged with murder, mutilation, and child cruelty. He has pleaded not guilty.
The case has involved multiple hearings over the past 12 months. The next hearing is due in October. Jill was warned that court proceedings could take two years. She describes the wait as a nightmare. Everything is in limbo, she says, and it feels like one step forward and 20 steps back. Communication has got worse, and she says it almost feels like nobody cares. That, she adds, is as bad as losing June because it plays mind games with her.
June gave birth to baby Regina less than two months before she was killed. Jill thinks her granddaughter may be in the custody of Jonathan Renteria's parents, but she still does not know for certain. Attempts to contact Renteria's parents brought no response, and it has not been possible to verify who Regina is with. Jill has appealed for a simple picture or news that her granddaughter is all right.
The day after an interview was recorded, Jill received an apology from the prosecution service in Los Angeles for the lack of communication with her family. There has been no response from the district attorney's office to a request for comment. The first anniversary of June's death has just passed. Jill says she remains heartbroken, misses June terribly, and speaks to her every day. She finds peace at her daughter's graveside, but she is still waiting for justice.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Renteria pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, mutilation, and child cruelty. | |
| June Bunyan was killed and dismembered in September of the previous year. | |
| The LA prosecution service apologised to Jill for poor communication the day after an interview was recorded. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West led with the human impact of the case, centring Jill Bunyan's grief and her frustration with the US legal process. It highlighted the lack of communication from US authorities and the uncertainty over her baby granddaughter. The report ended with the late apology from the LA prosecution service, but stressed that many questions remain.
- “Grief controls you. You don't have any control over grief.”
- “It almost feels like nobody cares. Nobody actually cares, and that is heartbreaking.”
- “Pick up the phone, send me a picture. That's all I'm asking for, a simple picture or to know she's all right.”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 13:47 BST
Jill Bunyan, her mum
“Jill Bunyan's been gripped by grief”
BBC News at One including... · Fri 25 Sept - 13:48 BST
“Jill received an apology from the prosecution service in LA”
BBC News at One including... · Fri 25 Sept
Broadcast Timeline
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