Finnish sports star Janne Puhakka, the first ice hockey player from his country to openly discuss being gay, was tragically sh*t dead by his ex-boyfriend. Puhakka, who made headlines in 2019 for his brave coming out, had been in a relationship with 66-year-old Rolf Nordmo for five years before they split.
On Sunday, October 13, 29-year-old Puhakka was k!lled upon returning to his home in Henttaa, Espoo, which he had shared with Nordmo until their recent breakup. Local authorities revealed that Nordmo, a Norwegian, was still staying at their apartment when Puhakka arrived to settle “practical matters” related to their separation. Matti Högman, leading the investigation, confirmed that the two had planned to discuss the end of their cohabitation.
Högman also disclosed that Nordmo, who had previously been married for 17 years and fathered three children before coming out as gay at 40, legally owned a gun in Norway. However, the level of force used against Puhakka was deemed “excessive.” The weapon, a hunting shotgun, was fired at Puhakka, though the number of shots remains unclear. Högman described the attack as “premeditated and vicious.”
Emergency services were only alerted after a concerned friend of Puhakka visited the house, as they hadn’t heard from him. Puhakka had a successful ice hockey career, playing for Espoo Blues, Espoo United, Canada’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and France’s Rapaces de Gap before retiring in 2018.
Puhakka and Nordmo met online in 2014 and started dating soon after. Reflecting on their relationship, Puhakka once shared that they had both overcome personal struggles to be together, stating, “We love each other, and that’s all that matters.” He had expressed interest in fashion and sportswear after his retirement, combining his love for sports with his future career goals.