Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley sadly died on October 16 from what TMZ has confirmed was due to blunt trauma to the head due to a fall. TMZ further reports that the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner’s report confirmed the cause of death, saying Frehley “suffered a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma – a collection of blood formed between the brain’s protective outer layer and the brain itself – and a stroke.”
Frehley‘s memorial took place on Tuesday, October 21, at the Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, before a funeral service the following day in the Bronx — the same neighborhood where Frehley grew up.
Tampa Bay Music News further reported that the ceremony was “private, by invitation only,” with roughly 75 people in attendance — a tight circle of family, close friends, and musicians who’d jammed or recorded with Frehley over the years. The original Kiss lineup reunited one last time to pay their respects, with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss all reportedly present.
Frehley — born Paul Daniel Frehley — died on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey, aged 73. He passed peacefully surrounded by family, nearly two weeks after a second fall at his home led to a brain bleed and life support. His family made the devastating decision to remove him from the ventilator.
The following statement was posted by Frehley‘s family at the time of his death: “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.
“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!”
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