Shocking New Details Emerge in Tragic Death of Finnish Hockey Star by his 66 Year Old Partner

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Daniel Lucente
October 15, 2024 (5:21 PM)

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29-year-old Finnish hockey star Janne Puhakka was murdered by his 66-year-old former partner, and updates regarding this tragedy have just been released.

In a shocking incident, which sent ripples across Finland and the hockey world, former Liiga star and trailblazer Janne Puhakka was found dead in his Espoo home. The 29-year-old Puhakka was an icon for Finnish hockey, the league's first openly gay player. His death caused not just a dent in the sports fraternity but sent ripples in Finnish society.

According to Ilta-Sanomat, a Finnish news outlet, the suspect in this murder is 66-year-old Rolf Nordmo, a former partner of Puhakka. He has been arrested on suspicion of homicide. Nordmo was the pivot of Puhakka's life and has now confessed to the murder in question, a shocking revelation that further deepened the sense of tragedy surrounding the case. The incident happened after an argument between the two men, who had recently broken up. The fatal fight allegedly followed from Nordmo's retrieving his belongings from Puhakka's apartment.

Puhakka was more than just a hockey player. In addition to being Finland's only openly gay pro in its top league, he was also a reality TV star who had joined Finnish 'The Traitors' this season. Therefore, producers announced that the already-filmed season finale of the show would be shelved for the time being. The decision signifies the utter shock and grief felt among those who worked closely with Puhakka.

Puhakka's hockey career was marked by his bravery both on and off the ice. From 2013 until 2015, he played two seasons with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL before returning to his native Finland, playing a full season in Liiga in 2015-16. Though it would prove to be his only season in the top league, it was long enough to identify him as a front-runner in the sport. He has since competed in Finland's second-tier Mestis league and even played a few games in Southeastern France. Above all, he is a trailblazer for Finnish LGBTQ+ athletes, and his memory will live on.

Following the guilty plea by Rolf Nordmo, Finnish police have assured the public that there is no continuing danger. Nordmo, now in custody, remains behind bars while the investigation goes on. The tragic death of Janne Puhakka has meant bereavement for many who saw him break into sports to inspire his nation. Condolences go out to his entire family.