Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band Kiss, died from blunt force injuries to the head sustained in a fall, according to an autopsy report. The Morris County medical examiner's office in New Jersey ruled the death accidental.
Frehley, 74, died on 16 October surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, a few weeks after the fall. The autopsy revealed facial fractures near the eyes and left ear, as well as bruising on his left abdomen, thigh, right hip and upper thigh.
Frehley was a founding member of Kiss, known for hits such as Rock and Roll All Nite and I Was Made for Lovin' You. The band's original lineup included Frehley, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss. Frehley is the first of the four founding members to die.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in New York, he began playing guitar at age 13 and worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix before joining Kiss. He performed on the band's first nine albums and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
His family announced his death last month, stating they were 'completely devastated and heartbroken' and that his memory would 'continue to live on forever.'
