KISS Founding Member Ace Frehley's Cause of Death Revealed After Guitarist Died at 74
- - KISS Founding Member Ace Frehley's Cause of Death Revealed After Guitarist Died at 74
Shyla Watson, Rachel DeSantisNovember 11, 2025 at 3:25 AM
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Ace Frehley in New York City in October 2018
Ace Frehley's cause of death has been revealed weeks after his death, PEOPLE confirms.
Frehley died of blunt trauma injuries to his head due to a fall, the Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed in documents obtained by PEOPLE. The manner of death was ruled an accident. Frehley was 74.
TMZ was first to report the news.
Frehley's family announced his death in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday. Oct. 16, saying that the rocker, born Paul Frehley, died earlier that day in Morristown, N.J., following a recent fall at his home. TMZ previously reported that the rocker was on life support due to a brain bleed caused by a fall several weeks prior.
“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.
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Ace Frehley in 2016 in New York City
It continued, "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!"
Frehley told fans about the fall, which he described as "minor," in a statement shared to Instagram on Sept. 25, writing at the time that he would need to cancel a performance scheduled for the next day in Lancaster. Calif. on doctor's orders.
“Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, Origins Vol. 4,” the statement read. Then, on Oct. 6, Frehley canceled the rest of his 2025 tour dates “due to ongoing medical issues.”
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Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons of KISS in January 1975 in Los Angeles
Frehley, known for his “Spaceman” persona and makeup in KISS, co-founded the group in 1973 and left in 1982. After departing KISS, the "New York Groove" singer formed his own group called Frehley’s Comet, which put out two albums and launched a successful solo career that began in 1978 with a platinum-selling self-titled debut. With Space Invader in 2014, he became the only KISS member to crack the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart with a solo album, according to his biography.
In a 2024 interview with Guitar World, the guitarist opened up about what would turn out to be his final album, saying it would make his former KISS bandmates "look like imbeciles."
“Paul and Gene have tried to destroy my reputation over the years — we know that. And unfortunately for them, 10,000 Volts is going to make them look like imbeciles,” he told the outlet. “KISS hasn’t put out a record since 2012, and here I am, 17 years sober, and it’s my sixth record since leaving KISS. I keep chugging along, and nobody can stop me. Creating amazing music is the best way to combat someone putting you down. That’s how I shut them up.”
One week after his death, an intimate memorial celebrating the life of the legendary rock star took place in New York City's Bronx borough, where he was born. KISS co-founders Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss were all in attendance.
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Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley in 1980
In an Oct. 23 Instagram post, SiriusXM personality Eddie Trunk and longtime friend of the band who also attended the funeral, posted a photo of a memorial prayer card citing a bible verse that was shared, "In Loving Memory of Paul 'Ace' D. Frehley." Trunk wrote in the caption, "@acefrehleyofficial has now been laid to rest in Bronx NY."
"It has been an emotional couple of days to say the least, saying farewell to a rock icon and long time friend. All of the services went as well as they could and were attended by a small group of family and close friends, including the 3 surviving original members of @kissonline," he continued.
Trunk, 61, revealed in his tribute that Frehley's family "did give me the okay to pursue a tribute show / fan celebration at some point" that he described as "important for Ace’s legacy, his fans, and the countless guitar players he influenced."
Ending his tribute, Trunk wrote, "For now crank up the music and remember and celebrate Ace for all he gave us and left us with. #ripace."
Frehley is survived by his daughter, Monique, and wife Jeanette Trerotola.
on People
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