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| Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died on Oct. 16, 2025. Associated Press |
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Cause of Death Revealed for Rock and Roll Legend from KISS
mlive
November 11, 2025
Area: Watertown
Cause of death has been revealed for a founding member of the legendary rock band, Kiss.
According to a Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed in a report obtained by People, lead guitarist and founding member Ace Frehley died of blunt trauma injuries to his head due to an accidental fall.
Frehley’s family announced his death in a statement on Oct. 16 about a week after he canceled his tour due to what he called “ongoing medical issues.”
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
Known for his aggressive, atmospheric, and melodic guitar playing and use of “special effects” guitars, Frehley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss.
With Kiss, he invested the persona of The Spaceman (a.k.a. Space Ace) and played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. After leaving Kiss, Frehley formed his own band named Frehley’s Comet and released two albums with the group.
He subsequently embarked on a solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. Frehley’s second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002.
Frehley, along with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss were announced as Kennedy Center Honorees by President Donald Trump.
Frehley is survived by his daughter, Monique, and wife Jeanette Trerotola.
