A medical examiner’s report has confirmed that original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died from blunt force trauma to the head after a fall at his home. The Morris County Medical Examiner ruled the 74-year-old rock icon’s death an accident, according to documents obtained by TMZ.

The report detailed that a CT scan revealed multiple skull fractures, brain hemorrhages, and a subdural hematoma, along with bruising to Frehley’s hip, thigh, and abdomen. It also noted that he had suffered a stroke. Frehley reportedly passed away on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by family, nearly two weeks after a second fall that left him on life support.

The Spaceman was laid to rest on October 22 at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, near his childhood home and his parents’ graves, following a private memorial service in Yonkers attended by around 75 friends and collaborators. Among those present were Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and longtime friend Eddie Trunk, who described the services as “small, private, and deeply emotional.”

Frehley’s family said in a statement: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken… Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley, Ace co-founded KISS in 1973 and helped define the band’s sound and look through its rise to global superstardom. He played on the group’s first nine albums, including Destroyer and Love Gun, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with KISS’s original lineup in 2014.

Frehley had recently canceled his 2025 tour dates due to “medical issues” following an earlier fall. His final album, 10,000 Volts, was released earlier this year.

Rock has lost one of its true icons — the guitarist who launched a thousand riffs, inspired generations, and took fans to outer space one last time.