Uechi-Ryu.com

Legendary Syracuse area Karate and Mixed Martial Arts instruction Steve Lavallee was found dead at his home in Florida this morning, an apparent victim of a suicide. Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh confirms his department was notified of Lavallee's death by the Fort Lauderdale police. The two departments had worked together on an investigation into Lavallee a few months ago. The sheriff would not say what the investigation concerned.

Today Kyoshi LaVallee passed away.

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Respectfully,

The South Florida USA Black Belt Champions Staff

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Steve LaVallee, 55, a master karate instructor who founded martial arts schools across Onondaga County, committed suicide today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he resided, authorities said.

LaVallee, the founder and chief master instructor at LaVallee’s USA Black Belt Champions, lived in Liverpool before moving to Florida where his school had its headquarters, according to public records.

He was being investigated by Fort Lauderdale police on abuse charges, according to Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh. The Florida police department contacted Onondaga County sheriff’s deputies a few months ago as part of the investigation, but Walsh said there was nothing here that could be prosecuted.