Norwegian man suspected of murder in Espoo following relationship dispute

An investigation is underway regarding a Norwegian man suspected of murder in the Finnish city of Espoo on October 13. The suspect alleges that he shot the victim with a shotgun, with the motive reportedly linked to the end of their relationship. Finnish police stated that the crime emerged from the conclusion of the connection between the accused and the victim.

The firearm involved was a hunting shotgun, which the man was legally permitted to possess in Norway. Currently in his 60s, the suspect hails from Trøndelag and remains in police custody, where authorities are seeking to formally apprehend him.

The victim has been identified as Janne Puhakka, a former ice hockey player well-known in Finland for being the first openly gay athlete in the country’s top league. At the time of his death, Puhakka was participating in the Finnish edition of “The Traitor,” locally known as “Petolliset.” Production of the show has been temporarily halted, and the production company expressed shock over the tragic news.

Finnish police are focused on piecing together the circumstances surrounding the incident, intending to interview witnesses and conduct a thorough technical investigation. Additionally, they have requested assistance from police in Trøndelag, specifically asking for two witnesses with connections to the suspect to be questioned. These testimonies are expected to be collected shortly.