A coroner in New Jersey has revealed the cause of death for Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of KISS, who passed away on October 16 at the age of 74.
Frederick J. DiCarlo, the Morris County Deputy Coroner, stated that the medical report identified blunt force trauma to the head resulting from a fall as the cause of death.
CT scans indicated significant bleeding between Frehley’s brain and its outer protective layer, along with signs of a skull base fracture and brain contusion.
Back in September, Frehley had collapsed in his studio. Shortly after that, a post on his official social media accounts informed fans that he was canceling his remaining tour dates for 2025.
It seems he was placed on a ventilator but unfortunately did not recover, as reported.
According to his attorney, he died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by family.
Who is Ace Frehley?
Ace Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley, came from a musically inclined family and began playing guitar at just 13. Prior to his time with KISS, he played in various local bands in New York City and even worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix when he was only 18.
KISS achieved immense popularity in the mid-1970s, selling millions of albums and creating a distinctive brand image. Their song “Beth” became a defining hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.
Frehley left the band in 1982, reminiscing about earlier days, and experienced a mixed bag of success as a solo artist and with his own band, Frehley’s Comet.
In the mid-1990s, after being influenced by bands like Nirvana and Weezer who expressed admiration for KISS, he rejoined the group, marking a celebrated return to their original style.
He’d exit again in 2002, and although plans for a performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2014 were made, they ultimately fell through due to disputes.
In his later years, Frehley occasionally made appearances at KISS shows. Their last concert, at Madison Square Garden in 2023, was claimed to be a final farewell. Though Stanley and Simmons have indicated they won’t tour again, they’re still open to the idea of future performances while continuing to promote the band’s music and memorabilia.
