Formal probe confirms Deschutes County Jail suicide

A formal investigation has confirmed the death by suicide of a Portland martial-arts studio owner at the Deschutes County Jail, nearly a week after his arrest on sex abuse charges, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Monday.

Here’s the full text of a statement issued Monday morning by Hummel on the April 26 th death of the 35-year-old man:

Today, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel completed his review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Eben Kaneshiro and, based on the evidence and medical findings, determined the cause of death to be suicide by hanging.

The Deschutes County Major Crimes Team, under the leadership of Redmond Police Department Sergeant Jesse Petersen, conducted a thorough, professional, and competent investigation.

The Team worked approximately 110 hours on the case. Their work included viewing jail video, reviewing medical records, attending the autopsy of Mr. Kaneshiro, viewing and photographing the cell where Mr. Kaneshiro died, and interviewing 43 people.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel praised Sergeant Petersen and the members of the Major Crimes Team: “I thank Sergeant Petersen for his able leadership of the Deschutes County Major Crimes Team, and the team members for the excellent investigation they conducted. The quality of this investigation produced results that leave no doubt as to the cause of Mr. Kaneshiro’s death.”