Finland’s First Openly Gay Hockey Player Allegedly Shot & Killed By Partner After Breakup!

Finland’s first openly gay hockey player is dead… And cops suspect his estranged partner killed him.

Finnish news outlet YLE reported that Janne Puhakka, who played professional hockey for the Espoo Blues, was found dead on Saturday night inside his Espoo home. The 29-year-old, who was living his young life as a proud gay man, had previously shared the residence with his 66-year-old partner Rolf Nordmo, but reportedly moved out in recent weeks after the pair split up, according to investigators.

However, the estranged couple remained in contact. Per cops, when Janne returned to the residence over the weekend to discuss things with Rolf, the 66-year-old gunned him down with a shotgun.

Local police issued a statement on Tuesday relating to the matter, but did not name the victim nor the suspect. They did, however, reveal they are actively investigating the homicide, which they noted took place on October 13 — the same day Janne was murdered. They revealed they have the suspect in custody, who admitted “he shot the victim with a shotgun and caused the victim’s death.” The police department added:

“It was revealed in the interrogation that the motive for the crime was the ending of the relationship between the victim and the suspect.”

Rolf was initially charged with manslaughter, but has since been hit with murder because “the act is suspected to have been committed with premeditation and in a particularly brutal and cruel manner,” according to police.

How incredibly awful.

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Janne and Rolf first started dating in 2014 when the former hockey player was just 19. They only went public after Janne came out as gay in 2018 after retiring. At the time, it’s not clear why the two split.

Such a terrible situation. We hope to see justice for Janne! Rest in peace.

[Images via Janne Puhakka/Instagram]