The cause of death for Ace Frehley, a founding member of the legendary rock band Kiss, has now been officially revealed by authorities.
Frehley died as a direct result of blunt trauma injuries sustained by his head due to a fall, according to the detailed and official report from the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
His official manner of death was formally listed by the medical examiner as an accident. The renowned guitarist was 74 years old at the time of his passing.
As previously reported, Frehley died on October 16 following a serious fall, a fact that was confirmed by his agent at the time.
The iconic guitarist had initially informed his fans about the concerning incident back in the month of September and was subsequently forced to cancel all of his remaining scheduled concert shows for 2025 on October 6, just ten days before his death.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” Frehley’s immediate family expressed in an emotional statement that was shared with Fox News Digital at the time of his death. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth.”
“We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others,” the family’s statement continued. “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Kiss, the band whose massive hits included anthems like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” became internationally famous for its highly theatrical and explosive live stage shows.
These performances often featured dramatic pyrotechnics with fire and fake blood spewing from the mouths of the band members, who were always dressed in elaborate body armor, towering platform boots, dramatic wigs, and their signature, unmistakable black-and-white face paint.
Kiss’s original and most famous lineup included the “Spaceman” Ace Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, the tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss. The passing of Ace Frehley marks the first death to occur among the band’s four legendary founding members.
“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” the band’s surviving founding members said in a joint, official statement released after his death.
“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Kiss experienced its peak of mainstream popularity, especially during the mid-1970s, successfully selling tens of millions of albums worldwide. The band also masterfully licensed its iconic look and brand to become a true marketing marvel of its era.
The power ballad “Beth,” sung by drummer Peter Criss, became its biggest commercial hit in the United States, eventually peaking at an impressive No. 7 on the prestigious Billboard Top 100 chart in the year 1976.