The cause of death of Kiss founding member Ace Frehley has been revealed almost a month after he died at 74.

The lead guitarist died after suffering a head injury following a fall, the Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed in a report obtained by TMZ and People on Monday. His death was considered accidental.

His agent previously said Frehley died peacefully on October 16 surrounded by his family in Morristown, New Jersey.

About a week before his death, the rocker’s team announced that he would cancel the remaining dates of his 2025 tour due to “Ongoing medical problems.” The announcement came after news that Frehley had suffered a brain hemorrhage during a fall into your study in September and had been placed on life support.

Ace Frehley was part of the original Kiss lineup, which also included singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss. The New York-born musician's death is the first among the four founding members.
Ace Frehley was part of the original Kiss lineup, which also included singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss. The New York-born musician’s death is the first among the four founding members.

Gary Miller via Getty Images

Frehley’s family first announced his death in a statement shared with People on October 16.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his final moments, we were fortunate to be able to surround him with loving, caring and peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” the statement read. “We cherish all of his fondest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and the kindness he extended to others.”

Simmons and Stanley also mourned the death of their former bandmate in a joint statement.

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“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative founding chapters of the band and its history,” the couple said. “He is and always will be part of the Kiss legacy.”