Kiss Co-Founder Ace Frehley's Cause of Death Revealed as Accidental Stroke
The explanation for the passing of Kiss's co-founder and guitarist, Ace Frehley, has been officially determined.
An autopsy report, acquired by Us Weekly on Monday, November 10, indicates that Frehley succumbed to a stroke and a subdural hematoma, resulting from a fracture at the back of his skull. His death was classified as an accident. TMZ was the first to report this information.
Us had verified Frehley's demise on October 16. He was 74 years old.
“We are utterly heartbroken and devastated. In his final moments, we were fortunate enough to have surrounded him with loving, caring, and peaceful words, thoughts, prayers, and intentions as he transitioned from this world,” Frehley’s family communicated in a statement to Us at that time. “We cherish all his fondest memories, his laughter, and celebrate the strengths and kindness he shared with others.”
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The statement concluded: “The gravity of his departure is immense and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all his incredible achievements, Ace’s memory will live on perpetually!”
Frehley’s family further noted that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by relatives in Morristown, New Jersey, after recently experiencing a fall at his residence.
Concurrently, Frehley’s manager, John Ostrosky, conveyed to Us, “Since 1976, Space Ace has been my Superman. His generosity, compassion, and willingness to mentor were evident until the very end. His impact will remain with me forever.”
In the weeks leading up to his death, Frehley was hospitalized after a fall, which led him to cancel a September concert as he recuperated. The subsequent month, he canceled all remaining tour dates for the year, citing “persisting health concerns.”
Frehley co-founded Kiss alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss in 1973. While Frehley left the rock band in 1982 due to artistic disagreements, subsequently establishing his own group called Frehley’s Comet and pursuing a solo career, he rejoined Kiss for a reunion tour in 1996. Kiss ceased touring in 2023 but had intentions to reassemble for the Kiss Army fan club’s 50th anniversary in November.
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Following the announcement of Frehley’s death, his former Kiss bandmates Simmons, 76, and Stanley, 73, issued a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I am deeply saddened by Ace Frehley’s passing. He was a crucial and irreplaceable rock pioneer during some of the band's most formative and foundational periods and its history,” the two commented then. “He is, and will always be, an integral part of Kiss’s legacy. My thoughts are with [his estranged wife] Jeanette, [daughter] Monique, and all who cherished him, including our fans worldwide.”
Simmons also conveyed his sorrow in a social media update at the time, posting on X, “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can diminish Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Even more regrettably, Ace did not live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy [Center] Honors event in [December]. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. May his memory endure perpetually!”
Frehley's survivors include his estranged spouse, Jeanette Trerotola, and their daughter, Monique, aged 45.
