Weeks after Ace Frehley’s death, a newly obtained autopsy report has shed some light on why the KISS co-founder and iconic guitarist died suddenly at the age of 74 in October.
According to to outlets such as TMZ and People, documents provided by the Morris County Medical Examiner in New Jersey confirmed Monday (Nov. 10) that Frehley’s death was caused by blunt trauma injuries to his head after suffering a fall. The manner of death was listed as accidental.
Related
Billboard has reached out to the county for more information.
The details inside the autopsy align with initial reports at the time of Frehley’s death on Oct. 16 that he’d suffered a fall at home. The rocker had also experienced a different fall weeks before that, with TMZ writing that he’d been on life support to treat a brain bleed as a result.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” Frehley’s family said in a statement announcing his death. “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. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.”
Known for his Spaceman persona, Frehley was an essential member of KISS. After co-founding the group with Peter Criss, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in 1973, he and his bandmates released Billboard 200 top 10 albums such as 1977’s Love Gun and Alive II before Frehley left the lineup in 1982.
He later returned for the band’s blockbuster reunion tour in 1996, staying on until 2002. In 2014, Frehley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS.
In 2024, Frehley told Billboard that he thought there was still a chance the original KISS lineup would get back together. “I’m the only game in town because KISS is supposedly retired — which I don’t believe is gonna happen,” he said at the time.
Frehley is survived by his daughter, Monique, and wife Jeanette Trerotola.
