Ace Frehley’s cause of death has been officially revealed three weeks after his unexpected death at the age of 74.
The Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed that the founding KISS member died of blunt force trauma to his head due to a fall. TMZ reported on November 10.
Frehley’s family announced Frehley’s death on October 16, expressing their heartbreak and noting, “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions.”
Hours before the death announcement, TMZ had reported that Frehley had been on a ventilator for weeks after falling at his home, and that his family was considering pulling the plug because his condition was not improving.
In September, Frehley’s team shared an Instagram update claiming the fall was “minor” and assuring fans that the guitarist was “fine” but had to cancel his upcoming shows per doctor’s orders. According to TMZFrehley suffered a brain hemorrhage and did not improve on life support.
In a joint statement, current KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley said they were “devastated” by the news. They called Frehley an “essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history.”
They added, “He is and always will be part of the legacy of KISS,” even though Frehley left the band in 1982, followed by years of ups and downs between the former bandmates.
Frehley later formed his own group called Frehley’s Comet and had a largely successful solo career.
Frehley is survived by his daughter Monique and wife Jeanette Trerotola.
