Janne Puhakka, a former openly gay professional hockey player, was recently and tragically found deceased this week at the young age of 29.
The prime suspect in his death is his own partner.
According to the Finnish news site Ilta-Sanomat, police were called to Puhakka’s home on Sunday after a bystander called emergency services out of concern about what they heard.
Janne Puhakka is believed to have died by shooting at the hands of his partner, 66-year-old Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Nordmo. Police said his death is being investigated as a homicide.
“We have a reasonably good understanding of what has happened,” crime commissioner and head of investigation Matti Högman told Ilta-Sanomat. “But, of course, we only suspect [Nordmo of murder], and the investigation is in the early stages.”
Matti Högman further believes the possible murder was likely “particularly raw and cruel.”
Puhakka, who played for Espoo Blues and Espoo United before ending his career at the end of the 2017–2018 season, died in the home he shared with his Norwegian veterinarian partner.
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Nordmo was arrested at the scene without incident.
Rapaces de Gap mourned him:
“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Janne Puhakka,” the statement read. “On the team during the 2017–2018 season, Janne showed the staff and his teammates his kindness and team spirit. We send our sincere condolences to his family, his relatives, and all his former teammates.”
Former Pro Hockey Player Janne Puhakka Made History In The Spot Before His Untimely Death
Police reportedly found former hockey star Janne Puhakka dead at the age of 29 as his own partner is suspected in his death.
Puhakka was found shot to death in the Henttaa, Espoo home he shared with his 66-year-old partner, Rolf Nordmo.
Years before his untimely death, he would make hockey history.
Puhakka started playing hockey as a child and won the bronze in the Under 18 World Championship in 2013. His professional start would begin in 2015 when he played for a variety of teams around the world, including Canada’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Finland’s Espoo Blues, TUTO Hockey, Espoo United, and France’s Rapaces de Gap.
Janne Puhakka made history when he became the first Finnish major league hockey player to come out as gay.
In 2022, he would publish a memoir and confessed he opened up about his sexuality after retiring from hockey to avoid any scrutiny in the sports world.
