The Morris County Medical Examiner has determined that founding KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died from blunt trauma injuries to his head sustained during a fall according to a report obtained by PEOPLE on Monday.
The 74-year-old musician’s death was ruled an accident.
Frehley, born Paul Frehley, died Oct. 16 in Morristown, N.J., following the fall at his home. TMZ reported the rocker had been on life support due to a brain bleed caused by the fall.
His family shared their grief in a statement announcing 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,” the statement read.
The family added, “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!”
On Sept. 25, Frehley posted on Instagram about the fall, describing it as “minor” and announcing he would cancel a performance the next day in Lancaster, California, on doctor’s orders.
The statement said Frehley looked forward to continuing his tour and finishing work on his next album, “Origins Vol. 4.” On Oct. 6, he canceled the remainder of his 2025 tour dates due to ongoing medical issues.
Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 and performed with the band until 1982, becoming known for his “Spaceman” persona and distinctive makeup.
After leaving KISS, he formed Frehley’s Comet and launched a solo career that began in 1978 with a platinum-selling self-titled debut. In 2014, his album “Space Invader” made him the only KISS member to crack the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart with a solo album, according to his biography.
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