One week after KISS guitarist Ace Frehley passed away, follwoing a tragic fall, it’s reported that his death is under investigation.
According to TMZ, a representative for the Morris County Medical Examiner, in New Jersey, has explained that no autopsy was performed on Frehley, but they have done a toxicology screening and external body examination.
The rep also said that they won’t be able to finalize a cause of death until after the toxicology report is completed, which may take a few weeks.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Freley had suffered a fall in September, which caused a brain bleed. After his condition did not improve over the next few weeks, his family made the difficult decision to take him off the life support ventilator. Just under 75 hours after life support was stopped, Frehley passed away.
Following Frehley’s death, his former Kiss bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons released a joint statement, paying tribute to the guitarist. “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” they wrote. “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique, and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Frehley is survived by his daughter, wife, brother, and sister.
In his own statement, former KISS drummer Peter Criss added, “With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away. He died peacefully with his family around him. My wife and I were with him to the end as well. I love you, my brother.”
“My love and prayers go out to Jeanette, Monique, Charlie and Nancy, and all of Ace’s extended family, bandmates, fans, and friends,” he continued. “May the Lord comfort you at this difficult time. As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace’s solo career, Ace influenced and touched the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army.”
“At this time, I ask all of you to please be respectful to Ace’s family and allow them to grieve privately,” Criss concluded. “To the KISS Army and Ace’s Rock Soldiers, my heart is with you all… Broken…”
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