KISS star Gene Simmons believes a series of “bad decisions” led to the death of former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.
In an interview with the New York Postthe rocker suggested that substance abuse contributed to Frehley’s fatal fall down the stairs at his home studio in New Jersey.
The founding KISS member died of blunt force trauma to his head as a result of the fall, the Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed in a report obtained by PEOPLE on Nov 10
“He refused [advice] of people who cared about him – including yours truly – to try to change his lifestyle. In and out of bad decisions. If you fall down the stairs – I’m not a doctor – you won’t die. There could have been other issues, and it breaks my heart,” Simmons told the BBC New York Post.
“The saddest thing is that unfortunately you reap what you sow,” the bassist added.
According to the Post, a separate toxicology report on Frehley’s blood at the time of his death will be issued.
“It breaks my heart,” Simmons continued, before describing Frehley’s private funeral service held on October 22.
“Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and I went to the funeral, with the casket open,” Simmons recalled.
“It was just heartbreaking. Maybe the saddest thing of all is that Ace just couldn’t stay alive long enough to sit there proudly at the Kennedy Center and listen to — I can’t even tell you who’s going to come out … really impressive people, just to say how much KISS meant to them,” he added, referring to President Donald Trump’s upcoming honors for the legendary rock band at the Kennedy Center.
“What can you say – sad,” Gene Simmons concluded.
