A cause of death has been declared regarding last month’s passing of former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. TMZ have republished the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner’s report, which ruled the death as being caused by blunt force injuries to the head sustained in an accidental fall. As TMZ summed it up, Frehley suffered, a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma — a collection of blood formed between the brain’s protective outer layer and the brain itself — and a stroke.
Frehley was said to have suffered the injury during a fall in the studio. The accident did not immediately claim his life however as the 74-year-old hard rock icon was put on life support and underwent a hemicraniectomy (removal of a portion of the skull to alleviate swelling) in a sadly unsuccessful bid to alleviate the symptoms associated with the injury.
Faced with no signs of possible recovery, the family were left with the hard choice to eventually turn off his life support. The medical examiner’s report also noted various bruises found around Frehley‘s body presumably associated with the fall. The results of a toxicology test were pending at the time of the report.
Frehley died on October 16th, 2025, with his family stating at the time:
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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 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!”
An integral co-founding member of KISS, Frehley went on to have a lengthy solo career as well. His untimely passing was met with an outpouring of tributes from friends, family, fans, and his former bandmates.
