The official cause of death for Ace Frehley, iconic KISS guitarist and founding member, has been confirmed as blunt force trauma to the head resulting from an accidental fall at his home in Morristown, New Jersey. The 74-year-old musician passed away on October 16, 2025, after sustaining severe injuries that led to a fatal brain hemorrhage.
According to the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, the death has been formally ruled as an accident, bringing clarity to weeks of speculation surrounding the rock legend’s passing. Reports indicate that the fall occurred several weeks prior to his death and that Frehley remained on life support before his family made the difficult decision to let him go.
The confirmation of the report puts an end to several weeks of speculation about the circumstances of his death. Sources close to the family had previously revealed that the musician was recovering from a fall at his home shortly before his hospitalization.
After the results were announced, the artist's family issued a heartfelt statement expressing their grief and gratitude to the guitarist's fans:
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his final moments, we surrounded him with love, peace, and prayers. The magnitude of his passing is epic. Ace’s memory will live forever.”
Frehley—known to generations of fans as “The Spaceman”—was one of KISS’s founding pillars, shaping the band’s signature sound and visual identity throughout the 1970s. His death closes a monumental chapter in rock history, yet his influence as a pioneer of guitar theatrics and larger-than-life performance will endure eternally.
The revelation of the official cause of his death brings closure to a painful chapter for millions of fans around the world. Ace Frehley leaves behind an indelible legacy and a memory that, like his character in KISS, will continue to travel among the stars.