June Bunyan, 37, was found dead on Sept. 11 after Los Angeles Police Department officers received information about a possible homicide at a Hollywood apartment and performed a wellness check. Authorities arrested Jonathan Renteria, 25, on suspicion of murder and booked him into the county jail in connection with the investigation, according to a complaint filed by the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.
Bunyan's friends and family have launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring her remains back to her native Scotland.
Vicky Tulika, who described Bunyan as her best friend, wrote on a GoFundMe page verified by NBC News that her friend had multiple degrees and had moved to the United States with dreams of taking the bar and becoming a defense lawyer.
"June was known for her vibrant personality, infectious laugh, and deeply compassionate heart," the GoFundMe said.
Renteria is also charged with the mutilation of human remains, the complaint said.
He was arraigned and entered a not guilty plea on Sept. 15, according to the District Attorney's office. It is not immediately apparent if he has retained a lawyer.
"The incident appears to be domestic violence related and no suspects are outstanding," LAPD said in a statement.
NBC Los Angeles reported that officers were called in and responded to a foul smell coming from the apartment, and arrived to find "limbs in a plastic bag."
The L.A. County medical examiner said she died from "traumatic neck injuries." Police told NBC Los Angeles that their investigators believe the attack occurred on Sept. 4, a week before police found the body.
The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that the Ventura County Sheriff's Office initially responded to a suicide call and arrived to find a man suffering from wrist injuries.
"They discovered a note that stated he had killed his wife," LAPD said.
According to a LinkedIn profile, someone with the name June Renteria founded and ran the Renteria Paralegal Services firm in LA, which offered legal advice and support to non-U.S. citizens in immigration cases.
"We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in USA and are in contact with the local authorities," the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said a statement to NBCLA.