Vaasa man jailed for nearly three years over partner’s death
Monday 5th October 2026 on 18:45 in
Finland
Yle reports that the Ostrobothnia District Court has sentenced a 32-year-old Vaasa man to two years and eight months in prison for violence that led to his partner’s death.
The court found Janne Kuljunlahti guilty of aggravated assault, aggravated negligent homicide and a drug use offence. It ruled that he caused the fatal head injury by throwing a living-room coffee table at his partner in their home in Vaasa around the turn of February and March.
The table struck the woman in the face, causing a large subdural haemorrhage, bruising and swelling around one eye, and a fracture to the floor of the eye socket. Neither of them knew how serious the injury was, and she did not seek medical care.
About two weeks later, the woman fell while walking to the toilet. Kuljunlahti checked on her, but she did not get up. He left her lying in the hallway and went to watch a film. Help was not called until the following morning, and she died at home.
The court considered whether the table strike caused her death. The defence suggested that heavy alcohol use, possible drug use or the fall might have contributed. A forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy told the court that a subdural haemorrhage can recur for relatively minor reasons. The court concluded that the woman died from the injury caused by the table strike and its recurrence.
The court said it found it credible that Kuljunlahti had not intended to cause his partner’s death, but said this did not affect its assessment of the sentence. It cited the fact that the violence took place in the victim’s home and that Kuljunlahti had previously shown a tendency to violence towards her. The court also considered it aggravating that he did not seek help after she could no longer get up, saying she might have survived if assistance had been called immediately.
Kuljunlahti was ordered to pay compensation to the woman’s mother, brother and sister. The ruling is not final and can be appealed to the Vaasa Court of Appeal.