The music world continues to mourn the loss of Kiss founding member Ace Frehley, whose cause of death has been officially determined nearly one month after his passing at age 74.
The Tragic Accident
According to reports obtained by TMZ and People, the Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed on Monday that the legendary guitarist died from a head injury sustained in a fall. His death has been officially ruled as accidental.
Frehley passed away peacefully on October 16 while surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, according to his agent's previous statement. The rocker's final moments were filled with love and support from those closest to him.
Declining Health and Canceled Tour
About a week before his death, Frehley's team announced he was canceling all remaining dates of his 2025 tour due to ongoing medical issues. This announcement followed earlier news that the musician had suffered a brain bleed during a fall in his studio back in September.
The September incident had been serious enough that Frehley required life support treatment, indicating the severity of his condition leading up to his eventual passing.
Kiss Legacy and Band Reactions
Ace Frehley was an integral part of Kiss's original lineup, joining forces with singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss to form one of rock's most iconic bands. His death marks the first passing among the four founding members of the legendary group.
In a heartfelt statement shared with People on October 16, Frehley's family expressed their profound grief. "We are completely devastated and heartbroken," the statement read. "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."
The family added that they cherish "all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others."
Former bandmates Simmons and Stanley also paid tribute to their longtime collaborator in a joint statement, describing Frehley as "an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history."
The pair emphasized that Frehley "is and will always be a part of Kiss's legacy," acknowledging his permanent place in the band's history despite his departure from the group in later years.
