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KISS’ Ace Frehley’s cause of death has been revealed. The band’s co-founder died Oct. 16 at age 74 of blunt trauma injuries to his head due to a fall, the New Jersey Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed in documents obtained by People on Monday. The manner of death was ruled an accident, per People. The rocker’s family released a statement on the day of his passing. “We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” Frehley’s loved ones began, per Variety. “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,” they 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!” Frehley, known as “Spaceman,” is dad to daughter Monique from his marriage to ex-wife Jeanette Trerotola. Fellow KISS members, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley also paid tribute to the late guitarist. “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” the pair wrote. “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.” The musician’s noted that Frehley 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.” Frehley co-founded KISS alongside Simmons, 76, Stanley, 73, and Criss, 79, in 1973. He departed the band in 1982. After forming his own group, Frehley’s Comet and having a solo career, Frehley rejoined KISS for a reunion tour in 1996 and remained in the band until 2002. In August, Frehley and his former KISS bandmates were announced as 2025 Kennedy Center honorees. “A dream come true that I never thought would materialize,” he gushed TMZ at the time. Hours before the news of Frehley’s passing, it was announced that he had been placed on life support with a brain bleed following a September fall in his studio. The “Rock and Roll All Nite” guitarist first sparked concern last month after he announced that he couldn’t make a performance in California scheduled for Sept. 26 because he suffered “a minor fall in his studio” that resulted “in a trip to the hospital.” “He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time,” a message on his Instagram page read. Frehley, however, then proceeded to cancel his remaining tour dates because of “ongoing medical issues” following the fall that left him hospitalized. “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates,” the Oct. 6 Instagram post said. A memorial for the late band leader was held in Frehley’s native Bronx last month, per SiriusXM’s Eddie Trunk. The radio personality, 61, was in attendance along with Simmons, Stanley and Criss. Trunk shared a picture of Frehley’s prayer card from the memorial service, writing a lengthy tribute to the late star. “@acefrehleyofficial has now been laid to rest in Bronx NY,” the music historian began. “It has been an emotional couple of days to say the least saying farewell to a rock icon and long time friend. All of the services went as well as they could and were attended by a small group of family and close friends, including the 3 surviving original members of @kissonline.” Trunk added that it was “an honor” to be at the memorial and allowed to participate. “His family did give me the okay to pursue a tribute show / fan celebration at some point. That’s something I feel , and many others feel, is deserved and should happen,” continued the media star before adding that there isn’t an update on when that would take place. “I think it’s important for Ace’s legacy, his fans, and the countless guitar players he influenced,” Trunk concluded. “Again when there is real news and a real plan on this I’ll let you know. For now crank up the music and remember and celebrate Ace for all he gave us and left us with.”
