In a heart-wrenching and dramatic development, The Traitors Finland has postponed the airing of its highly anticipated season final following the death of contestant Janne Puhakka. The 29-year-old was tragically discovered dead at his residence in Espoo, adjacent to Helsinki.
According to Finnish outlet Yle Urheilu, Puhakka’s ex-partner, Rolf Nordmo, 66, confessed to taking the life of the former ice-hockey player with a shotgun after they parted ways.
Puhakka had featured on the second series of The Traitors, airing on Nelonen and hosted by Christoffer Strandberg, actively participating up until the climactic finale, the Mirror reports.
Due to the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing, the network decided to withhold this week’s finale, which had been pre-recorded earlier in the year.
A Nelonen spokesperson said: “We have come to the conclusion that now is not the right time to air an episode. We will return to the question of the possible presentation of the episode later. We share in the grief of Janne’s loved ones”.
Local authorities suspect the fatal incident occurred shortly after Puhakka’s split from Nordmo, with evidence suggesting Puhakka was killed upon entering the Henttaa property he previously shared with Nordmo.
Nordmo is currently incarcerated, charged with murder—a case intensified by alleged preplanning and excessive brutality. Using a legally obtained hunting shotgun, he ended Puhakka’s life, confessing to the crime according to the Irish Mirror.
Matti Högman, lead detective, disclosed: “Based on the interrogation, the motive for the crime was the end of the relationship between the victim and the suspect.”
He continued: “During the interrogation, things related to their relationship emerged. The suspect has shown strong emotions about the incident. The whole thing has to do with emotions.”
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