The music world is mourning with the official cause of death released for Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist and original Spaceman of the legendary rock band KISS. The iconic musician passed away suddenly on October 16, and a medical report has now confirmed the tragic details.
Medical Report Confirms Tragic Accident
According to a report from the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner obtained by TMZ, Frehley's death was ruled an accident. The cause was blunt trauma injuries to his head sustained during a fall. The specific injuries detailed in the report were severe, including a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma, and a stroke.
The sequence of events began when the musician reportedly collapsed in his home studio, hitting his head and suffering a brain bleed. He was subsequently placed on life support. Medical professionals performed a procedure in an attempt to fix the bleed, but it was ultimately unsuccessful.
A Family's Heartbreaking Decision and Final Tour
Facing the gravest of circumstances, Frehley's family made the difficult decision to turn off his ventilator. In a heartfelt statement released at the time, they shared, "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." They went on to celebrate his memory, noting "the magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension."
In a cruel twist, Frehley had previously addressed the incident himself. On September 25, he posted a statement on Instagram describing a "minor" fall, which led doctors to advise him to cancel an upcoming performance in California. He expressed optimism about resuming his tour and working on his next album, Origins Vol. 4. However, on October 6, he cancelled the remainder of his 2025 tour dates "due to ongoing medical issues." He died just ten days later at the age of 74.
A Rock and Roll Legacy
Ace Frehley was a pivotal figure in rock history. He served as KISS's original lead guitarist and occasional lead singer from the band's formation in 1973 right through to its final show in 2023. With his Spaceman persona, he helped define the band's iconic image.
KISS, known for anthems like "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "I Was Made for Lovin' You," became global superstars in the 1970s. The original lineup, including Frehley, vocalist Gene Simmons, drummer Peter Criss, and guitarist Paul Stanley, was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. The original members were reported to have paid their final respects at a memorial for their fallen bandmate, closing a monumental chapter in music.
