KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s death was determined to have resulted from a blunt force head injury sustained in a fall.
The musician suffered a skull fracture, a subdural hematoma — a type of bleeding near the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic — and a stroke, per a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner obtained by TMZ.
Frehley — born Paul Daniel Frehley — was placed on life support and underwent an unsuccessful medical procedure before his family decided to withdraw life-sustaining treatment.
His death was ruled to be an accident.
The co-founding member of the rock band died Oct. 16.
He was 74.
Hours before his death, TMZ revealed Frehley had been rushed to the hospital with a brain bleed and placed on life support weeks after suffering a fall in his recording studio.
A statement posted to the rocker’s Instagram on Sept. 25 informed fans about his “minor fall,” but insisted he would continue the remainder of his “10,000 Volts Tour.”
“He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time,” the statement read. “Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, ‘Origins Vol. 4.’”
Then, on Oct. 6, another Instagram announcement shared that Frehley was dealing with “some ongoing medical issues” and “made the difficult decision” to cancel his tour.
The “Forever” rocker’s family confirmed his death on Oct. 16 in a statement that read, “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,” the statement read.
“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 week after his death, Frehley was laid to rest in New York City, and his memorial services were attended by fellow KISS founding members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
The group formed in 1973 and slowly broke up when Criss left the band in 1980 and Frehley two years later.
Despite the group occasionally reuniting throughout the years, they were last photographed together at the 2014 annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Originally published as KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s official cause of death revealed