A murder case involving a well-known personality from the show “The Traitors” has taken a new turn as the partner of the deceased star faces formal charges in court.
Janne Puhakka, a Finnish reality TV participant and the country’s first openly gay ice hockey player, was tragically found dead in his home in Henttaa, Espoo, on October 13 last year. The 29-year-old shared the residence with his partner, Rolf Nordmo, a 66-year-old Norwegian veterinarian.
Nordmo has been accused of the murder, allegedly shooting Puhakka twice with a hunting shotgun. If convicted, Nordmo could face a life sentence, which typically translates to less than 15 years in prison under Finnish law, as reported by Yle, a Finnish publication.
Investigators believe that Nordmo meticulously planned the shooting for two weeks, indicating it was a premeditated act. Although Nordmo acknowledged his involvement in Puhakka’s death during the initial inquiry, he denies the charge of murder, according to a Finnish newspaper.
The trial is scheduled to start on March 13 at the Western Uusimaa District Court in Espoo. Reports indicate that Puhakka had visited their former shared home to discuss separation arrangements before the tragic incident.
Allegedly, upon Puhakka’s visit, Nordmo seized a gun and shot him twice in the chest. It was a friend who discovered Puhakka’s body in the apartment after unsuccessful attempts to reach him.
Matti Högman, the chief investigator in the case, revealed that Puhakka had moved out of their shared residence several weeks before his demise. Högman mentioned the use of excessive violence in the incident but refrained from disclosing further details.
Following Puhakka’s murder, the season finale of “The Traitors Finland” was postponed. The channel decided to delay the airing of the final episode, recorded earlier in the year, out of respect for the tragic event.
For additional showbiz news and updates, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads.