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ACE FREHLEY: official cause of death revealed

11-11-2025

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died of blunt trauma injuries to his head due to a fall, it has been revealed.

The Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death in a report obtained by TMZ.com on Monday, November. Ace‘s manner of death was ruled an accident. He was 74 years old.

According to the report, a CT scan of Frehley‘s head revealed multiple contusions, bone fractures to the back of his skull, hemorrhages, and a subdural hematoma (the type of bleeding that occurs in a person’s brain after a head injury). Additional bruises were found on the musician’s hip, thigh, and abdomen. The report also noted that Frehley had suffered a stroke.

Late last month, Frehley‘s longtime manager John Ostrosky confirmed to the New York Post that the late KISS icon was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.

The legendary musician was buried on October 22 following a private memorial on October 21 at Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York.

A memorial service for original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley were reportedly held on Tuesday, October 21 at the Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York. A funeral followed on Wednesday, October 22 at a cemetery in Bronx, New York, in the same neighborhood “ where he grew up” and “very close to where his parents were buried, which were his wishes,” according to SiriusXM radio personality and Ace‘s longtime friend Eddie Trunk, who attended both the memorial service and the funeral.

According to Tampa Bay Music News, the memorial service “was private, by invitation only, and not open to the public.” It was attended by “about 75 people, mostly musicians who had played with Ace, recorded with him, or simply hung out with him over the years. Family, close friends, and all the members of the original lineup of KISS were present: Gene SimmonsPaul Stanley and Peter Criss.”

Frehley, whose real name was Paul Daniel Frehley, passed away on October 16 peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey. He reportedly died nearly two weeks after a second fall at his home, which led to him being placed on life support after a brain bleed. The musician’s family made the heartbreaking decision to take him off the ventilator.

A representative for the Morris County Medical Examiner’s office told TMZ that an autopsy was not performed on Frehley. A toxicology screening is underway, along with an external body examination. The medical examiner’s office said that a cause of death will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Ace Frehley released his new solo album, “10,000 Volts”, on February 23, 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music). The official music video for the LP’s title track — directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging — can be seen below.

The 11-track “10,000 Volts” LP was produced by Ace and Steve Brown (TRIXTER).

“10,000 Volts” track listing:
01. 10,000 Volts
02. Walkin’ On The Moon
03. Cosmic Heart
04. Cherry Medicine
05. Back Into My Arms Again
06. Fightin’ For Life
07. Blinded
08. Constantly Cute
09. Life Of A Stranger
10. Up In The Sky
11. Stratosphere

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