Candlelight vigil planned in Helsinki for homicide victim Janne Puhakka

A candlelight vigil will be held on Monday evening in memory of Janne Puhakka, a victim of a homicide, at Senate Square in Helsinki. The event, taking place from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM, invites attendees to bring their own candles to honor Puhakka’s memory. The event is organized in collaboration with the Finnish Human Rights League, Seta, and the Helsinki Pride community.

Puhakka’s former partner, 66-year-old Rolf Nordmo, is suspected of murdering Puhakka, who was 29 at the time of his death. Nordmo has admitted to shooting Puhakka with a shotgun, resulting in his death.

According to the organizers, Puhakka was an important role model and human rights advocate for many, known for breaking norms and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community in the sports world. He was the first male professional hockey player to publicly come out as gay.

Puhakka was a member of Team Human Rights, an athlete advocacy group established in 2020 by the Human Rights League. Tommy Lindgren, an expert in the league’s sports human rights campaign, recalls Puhakka’s involvement in creating podcasts that addressed the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.

“Janne was an extremely significant pioneer both in Finland and internationally. His passing has shocked many,” said Lindgren, highlighting Puhakka’s considerable impact as a role model, which led to the organization of the candlelight vigil.

Puhakka had hoped that hockey clubs would do more to make all minorities feel welcome in the sport. This is an evolving news story.