Former Finnish ice hockey player Janne Puhakka, known for being the first in his field to discuss his homosexuality openly, was found dead on Sunday, October 13, 2024, in the home he shared with his longtime partner, Rolf Nordmo, in the Henttaa neighborhood of Espoo, Finland. Authorities are investigating the death as a homicide, and a 66-year-old Nordmo has been detained on suspicion of murder.
Police suspect the incident may have stemmed from a breakup between Puhakka, 29, and his Norwegian partner, who has reportedly admitted to the shooting. Detective Inspector Matti Högman explained, “Based on an interview with the suspect, the motive for the crime was the end of the relationship between the victim and the suspect.” According to a Finnish media source, Puhakka had recently moved out of their shared residence but returned on Sunday to manage personal matters.
Responding to an emergency call, police arrived at the scene on Sunday evening. Högman noted that the case was initially treated as manslaughter but later reclassified as murder, suggesting that authorities believe the act was premeditated and carried out with “brutal violence.” Law enforcement officials are currently investigating whether the firearm used in the incident was licensed in Finland.
Puhakka had met Nordmo online in 2014, and the couple had been together for nearly a decade. Despite challenges related to the public’s perception of their age difference and his fears about his sexuality, the two were candid about their relationship. Puhakka, who retired from professional ice hockey in 2018, spoke about his experiences as an openly gay athlete in the often-stigmatized sports world. “I was afraid of how I would be perceived in the ultra-male sports world,” he said in an interview.
The former athlete’s untimely death has drawn an outpouring of condolences, including from Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland, who shared her tribute on social media. She posted a picture of the former ice hockey player on Instagram, accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
As the investigation develops, authorities are interviewing witnesses and conducting a technical examination of the scene. A friend of the couple, who had gone to check on Puhakka when he could not be reached, discovered the scene and notified the police. Högman stated that the suspect will remain in custody as the investigation progresses.
Puhakka began his ice hockey career at age six and went on to represent Finland’s national youth team. He played for clubs such as the Espoo Blues and Espoo United before retiring in 2018.
The Finnish community will remember Puhakka for his athletic achievements and courage in breaking barriers within the world of professional ice hockey.
