The tragic death of Janne Puhakka, Finland’s first openly gay ice hockey player, has taken a dark turn, with police now treating the incident as a suspected murder.
Story Summary:
- Janne Puhakka, Finland’s first openly gay ice hockey player, has been found dead in his home.
- Police are treating his death as a murder and have detained 65-year-old Rolf Nordmo, Puhakka’s partner, as the prime suspect.
- The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into the murder weapon and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Janne Puhakka death is reportedly being treated as murder
According to reports, Puhakka, 29, was found dead at the home he shared with his long-term partner, 65-year-old Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Nordmo, in the town of Henttaa, Espoo.
Finnish police confirmed that a man has been detained in connection with the crime.
According to police spokesperson Detective Inspector Matti Högman, there is reason to believe the suspect’s actions were both “deliberate and cruel.”
The suspect, who was found at the crime scene, was detained on suspicion of shooting Puhakka to death.
Finnish media reports have revealed that Puhakka’s body was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds, heightening the suspicions of foul play.
The local community and fans of Puhakka have been left in shock following the grim news, with former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin paying tribute to the athlete, posting a heartfelt message with a broken heart emoji on her social media platforms.
Finnish police have a suspect in custody
Details surrounding the suspect, 65-year-old Rolf Nordmo, paint a complex picture.
Nordmo and Puhakka had been together for a decade after meeting online in 2014.
Nordmo, who came out as gay at 40 after a 17-year marriage, quickly fell for Puhakka, despite their significant age gap.
Over the years, the couple had publicly shared their challenges, especially regarding Puhakka’s fears of being ostracised in the hyper-masculine world of ice hockey.
Despite these difficulties, the couple grew closer, eventually moving in together in Finland.
Nordmo, now in custody, is under investigation, with Finnish police currently looking into the murder weapon to determine if it was legally owned.
A witness, who called the authorities to the couple’s home, raised the alarm after suspecting that a violent crime had occurred.
The police have confirmed that they are exploring all angles, including the potential involvement of previous domestic issues, although nothing definitive has been revealed.
Puhakka’s legacy extends beyond the ice, as he was a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in sports.
He retired from professional ice hockey after the 2017–2018 season and went on to pursue a career in business.
His death has sent shockwaves across Finland, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his tragic end.
The investigation is ongoing, with Finnish authorities expected to release further details about the suspect and the events leading to Puhakka’s death.
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