Lead investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Juha Piippo at the Pasila Police Station in Helsinki on September 20, 2025. A pre-trial detention hearing was held at the police station for the 59-year-old man suspected of manslaughter. Photo: Kimmo Penttinen / Str / Lehtikuva
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A man has been detained in Helsinki on suspicion of manslaughter after a woman fell to her death from a fifth-floor balcony in the city’s Hietalahti district earlier this week.
The 59-year-old suspect, who was the deceased woman’s cohabiting partner, was taken into custody following a closed-door hearing at the Pasila police station on Saturday morning. The court ruled that there were probable grounds to suspect him of manslaughter.
The woman, described as being in her 50s and, according to Helsingin Sanomat, an employee at Finnish broadcaster Yle, fell through a detached balcony panel on Wednesday evening. She died at the scene.
Initially treated as a possible accident, the case took a significant turn later in the week as investigators uncovered circumstances suggesting possible foul play.
According to Chief Inspector Juha Piippo, the incident occurred when only the couple was present in the apartment. Emergency services were alerted by a passer-by, not the suspect himself.
“The overall assessment gives us reason to suspect that the man may have had a role in what happened,” Piippo told reporters. However, he added that a tragic accident has not been entirely ruled out, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The suspect has cooperated with police during questioning, Piippo noted, but declined to provide further details, citing the early stage of the investigation and the sensitive nature of the case. The court also declared all case materials confidential to protect the investigation.
The man has a criminal record, including a restraining order issued in the early 2000s for domestic abuse against a former spouse and child. He has also been convicted of fraud and firearms offences in the past.
There are no current or pending court cases between the suspect and the victim, authorities said.
The court session drew media attention, which visibly surprised the suspect. He arrived barefoot and wearing a white t-shirt, and did not attempt to cover his face. Before proceedings began, he openly questioned the presence of reporters at the hearing.
Investigators have asked the public for any witness statements or observations that may help clarify the events leading up to the fatal fall. The lack of eyewitnesses has added complexity to an already challenging case.
The incident occurred on Hietalahdenkatu, a residential street in central Helsinki. Police conducted technical analysis of the damaged balcony on Thursday.
As the investigation continues, authorities remain cautious in their public statements. While the suspect has been detained, police stress that no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding how or why the woman fell.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
