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The official cause of death for Ace Frehley, the guitarist who was a founding member of hard-rock band Kiss, has been released, confirming details his family shared in October. <\/p>\n
The medical examiner for New Jersey\u2019s Morris County said in a report<\/a>, published by TMZ, that Frehley died of \u201cblunt trauma injuries\u201d to his head suffered during a fall. His death was ruled an accident. The report listed injuries including a brain bleed and fractures to his skull.<\/p>\n Frehley\u2019s death on Oct. 16 <\/a>was announced by his family, which said he had recently suffered a fall. \u201cIn 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,\u201d the family said in a statement at the time. Frehley was 74. <\/p>\n \u201cWe cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cThe magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.\u201d<\/p>\n Frehley, known also for his Spaceman alter ego, died less than two weeks after canceling the remainder of his 2025 live performances due to undisclosed \u201conging medical issues.\u201d <\/a>He was also hospitalized in late September after suffering a \u201cminor fall\u201d in his studio, his tour manager John Ostrosky announced<\/a>. Though the rocker was \u201cfine,\u201d doctors urged him to take time from the road to recover, prompting him to cancel his appearance at the Antelope Valley Fair. <\/p>\n The musician was among the original members of Kiss, playing with the band for about a decade, from 1973 \u2014 when he formed the group in New York with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss \u2014 until 1982, when he quit not long after Criss left. <\/p>\n The band, which had its final show in 2023, was known for flamboyant performances, and costumes and heavy makeup. Despite his relatively short tenure, Frehley proved instrumental in creating the band\u2019s stomping and glittery sound, as heard in songs like \u201cDetroit Rock City,\u201d \u201cRock and Roll All Nite,\u201d \u201cStrutter\u201d and \u201cI Was Made for Lovin\u2019 You.\u201d He was part of a reunion tour with the band<\/a> from 1996 to 2002.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,\u201d the band said<\/a> of Frehley following news of his death. \u201cHe is and will always be a part of KISS\u2019s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is survived by his wife, Jeanette; his daughter, Monique; his brother, Charles; his sister, Nancy; and several nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n Times pop music critic Mikael Wood contributed to this report. <\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n