Cause Of Death Revealed For Former KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley

A cause of death has been officially determined for late KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away last month at the age of 74. According to a report from the Morris County, NJ Medical Examiner, Frehley’s death was caused by blunt force injuries to the head sustained during an accidental fall.

Per details shared by TMZ, the report revealed that Frehley suffered a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma—a buildup of blood between the brain and its outer protective layer—and a stroke. The injuries reportedly occurred after a fall in his studio.

While the accident didn’t claim his life immediately, Frehley was placed on life support and underwent a hemicraniectomy (a procedure involving the removal of part of the skull to relieve brain swelling). Unfortunately, despite medical intervention, he did not recover. With no signs of improvement, his family ultimately made the difficult decision to remove life support.

The medical examiner’s report also noted multiple bruises consistent with the fall. Toxicology results were still pending at the time of publication.

Frehley passed away on October 16th, 2025. His family shared an emotional statement following his death:

“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!”

A founding member of KISS, Frehley helped shape the band’s sound and image throughout their rise to stardom, later enjoying a long and successful solo career. His passing has been met with an overwhelming wave of tributes from fans, friends, and fellow musicians alike.

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