Lents martial arts studio closes after owner’s suicide

Find out why some parents said they were shocked to see the martial arts studio closed, and why …

Across the street from the New Copper Penny night club, on SE Foster Road, the “New Breed Jiu Jitsu Academy” is now permanently closed.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

When a mother brought her boys in for a Monday afternoon class on April 20, and found the “New Breed Jiu Jitsu Academy” closed, she said she was surprised to learn that the owner, “Professor” Eben Kaneshiro, had been arrested in eastern Oregon.

“My kids have really progressed well here,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. “I can’t believe he would be in any kind of trouble.”

New Breed Jiu Jitsu Academy was located at 9213 Southeast Foster Road. Now, the space is empty, and “For Rent” signs are on the windows.

This is the police mug shot of the owner of the Lents-based martial arts studio, 35-year-old Eben Kaneshiro. Deschutes County Jail booking photo

However, the 35-year-old Kaneshiro was in substantial trouble. He’d been arrested on April 19 by investigators in Deschutes County, and was scheduled to be arraigned on three counts of first-degree sodomy and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse on April 21, according to Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel.

While in his cell in the county jail, Kaneshiro wrote notes to family members – and one to detectives, indicating additional victims and where they could be found – according to Deschutes County Sheriff Larry Blanton. After writing the notes, Kaneshiro made a noose out of a bed sheet, and hanged himself in his jail cell on April 20.

Words, promoting the Jiu Jitsu studio on the windows of the abandoned space include “Self-Control”, and the apocryphal words, “Kids Classes”.

“That information was shared with Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Sex Crimes Unit detectives, who have retrieved Kaneshiro’s computer and related items for examination,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

“At this time, detectives have not identified or located any additional victims based on this information and investigation,” Simpson added. “However, computer forensic experts have not yet completed the examination of the computer-related items taken as evidence.”

Officers stand by while others look secure potential evidence from the residence of Eben Kaneshiro.

Detectives would like to hear from anyone with specific information about additional victims, Simpson added. “Anyone who was a victim of Kaneshiro’s behavior should contact Detective Darrell Miller at (503) 823-0842, darrell.miller@portlandoregon.gov.

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