A tragic incident unfolded in Finland as former hockey player Janne Puhakka, openly gay, was allegedly shot by his 66-year-old husband. The murder took place on Sunday evening at the couple’s home in Espoo, Finland’s second-largest city. The authorities described the incident as particularly cruel and brutal. Puhakka had come out as gay five years ago, making history as the first Finnish hockey professional to do so.
The couple had been together for ten years, with Puhakka meeting his partner, a veterinarian, while playing in Canada for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Despite being together for a decade, Puhakka kept the relationship secret until his retirement from the sport in 2018. He often introduced his partner as his uncle due to their significant age difference of 37 years, which he found embarrassing.
In 2019, Puhakka publicly came out in an interview with „Helsingin Sanomat,“ recounting how he felt mentally blocked due to his homosexuality. He spoke about the homophobic atmosphere in locker rooms, where gay jokes were common. Puhakka believed that players should be able to be themselves without fear of discrimination, emphasizing the importance of addressing LGBTQ+ issues.
Following his coming out, Puhakka became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, appearing on a Finnish reality game show called „Petolliset.“ However, his participation in the show was cut short by his tragic death. The network announced that the final episode featuring Puhakka would not air as planned.
The news of Puhakka’s untimely death has shocked the community, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in sports. It serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of creating inclusive and accepting environments in all areas of society, including professional sports. The investigation into the murder is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the full details of the heartbreaking incident.