Reality TV star killed days before finale airs

A reality TV star has allegedly been murdered by his former partner, days before the finale he appeared in was due to air.

A contestant on the Finnish version of popular reality TV show The Traitors was allegedly murdered by his partner.

Janne Puhakka, 29, was killed on Sunday night. He was allegedly shot by his 66-year-old partner, Rolf Nordmo, the Independent reported. He was appearing as a contestant in the current season of The Traitors - called Petolliset in Finland - which has now postponed the airing of the final episode following his death.

Outside of his reality TV appearance, Mr Puhakka was also Finland’s first openly gay professional ice hockey player.

Janne Puhakka was Finland’s first openly gay professional ice hockey player. Picture: Instagram/jannepuhakka

Puhakka (right) was allegedly murdered by his partner (left). Picture: Supplied

Local media report that Nordmo confessed to the crime after a messy break-up a few weeks ago.

Nordmo allegedly killed his lover with a hunting shotgun, the Daily Mail reports.

It’s understood that Puhakka had moved out after ending the relationship, and that Nordmo attacked him when he returned to the property for “practical matters”.

Janne Puhakka was Finland’s first openly-gay hockey player. Picture: Getty Images

The Traitors is based on a Dutch show called De Verraders and is similar to the game Mafia.

A small group of contestants are dubbed “Traitors” and attempt to eliminate the “Faithful”, who in turn are trying to banish the Traitors. Puhakka appeared as a contestant on this, the second Finnish season of the show, and was still an active competitor in the game as it appeared on screens when he died.

TV channel Nelonen released a statement that read: “The final episode of the season of Petolliset was scheduled to be shown on Thursday of this week.

“We have come to the conclusion that right 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.”

Mr Puhakka played for the Espoo Blues and Espoo United, and was considered a role model after he came as gay.

Originally published as Reality TV star killed days before finale airs