KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s death on Oct. 16 has been ruled an accident.
TMZ reports the cause of death was a result of blunt trauma to the head due to a fall.
Per the report, citing the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner’s report, Frehley suffered a stroke and a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma, which is a collection of blood formed between the brain’s protective outer layer and the brain itself.
Frehley, 74, was put on life support after a fall in a studio led to a brain bleed last month. His family took him off life support.
Frehley’s family released a statement last month at the time of the fall:
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. 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. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Ace was a founding member of KISS, joining Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss.
Frehley is known for his song-within-a-song guitar solos on Kiss classics like “Rock And Roll All Nite” and “Love Gun.”
A Bronx, New York native, Frehley’s drew early guitar inspiration from the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.
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Frehley – pronounced fray-lee, not free-lee – cowrote or wrote Kiss hits like “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me.” Kiss’ members each established makeup-clad personas and Frehley’s was known as “Spaceman.”
Legendary guitarist’s cause of death revealed
