The body of a Scottish lawyer found dead in Los Angeles has been returned home to Scotland, as her grieving family pays tribute to a woman remembered for her intelligence, compassion, and determination to pursue justice.
Thirty-seven-year-old June Bunyan, originally from the Isle of Arran, was discovered dead at her Los Angeles home on September 11, after suffering what authorities described as “traumatic neck injuries.” Her death is being treated as a homicide by Los Angeles police.
Bunyan had moved to California after graduating with a law degree from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 2022, with dreams of becoming a defence attorney. Friends and colleagues described her as ambitious and devoted to helping others, with an unwavering passion for criminal justice and human rights.
In a statement, her family said they were “heartbroken beyond words” and called June “a bright light whose kindness and determination inspired everyone she met.” They added that bringing her home to Scotland brought them “a measure of peace amid unimaginable grief.”
The repatriation of her body to Scotland was supported by local authorities and close friends in Los Angeles. A private memorial service is being planned on the Isle of Arran, where Bunyan grew up and maintained close ties to the community.
Friends from both Scotland and the U.S. have shared emotional tributes on social media, remembering her as “a beautiful soul with a fierce sense of justice.” One former classmate from RGU wrote, “June was destined to make a difference in the world. She had so much love and potential — it’s heartbreaking that her journey was cut short.”
Los Angeles Police Department detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. No arrests have been announced, but authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
As her family and community mourn, June Bunyan is being remembered not for the tragedy of her death, but for the passion, kindness, and courage she carried throughout her life — a legacy that will live on in those who knew and loved her