KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Cause of Death Released – TMZ

Incident Report: Accidental Death of Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the circumstances surrounding the death of musician Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, aged 74, on October 16, 2025. The official cause of death was accidental blunt force trauma to the head resulting from a fall. This incident underscores critical public health and safety issues that directly align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2.0 Incident Details and Official Findings

The Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiner’s report provides a definitive account of the events and medical causes leading to Mr. Frehley’s death.

1. Initial Event: Mr. Frehley sustained a fall in a studio environment, leading to a severe head injury.
2. Medical Intervention: He was placed on life support following a significant brain bleed. Medical procedures to alleviate a subdural hematoma were unsuccessful.
3. Official Cause of Death: The death was ruled an accident resulting from complications of the fall, which included:
   • A fracture to the back of the skull
   • A subdural hematoma
   • A subsequent stroke
4. Date of Death: October 16, 2025, following the family’s decision to withdraw ventilator support.

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

3.0 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This case highlights the importance of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Falls are a major public health problem, especially among older adults, and addressing their prevention is key to achieving SDG 3 targets.

• Target 3.4: Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health: Preventing accidental injuries like falls is crucial for reducing premature mortality. The incident also touches upon the long-term health impacts of substance abuse (Target 3.5), a noted factor in Mr. Frehley’s history, which can increase the risk of accidents.
• Target 3.8: Universal Health Coverage: The access to immediate, high-level trauma care and end-of-life support, as received by Mr. Frehley, demonstrates the function of a robust healthcare system. Ensuring such access for all is a core objective of SDG 3.

3.1 SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The incident occurred within a professional studio, classifying it as a workplace accident. This brings focus to SDG 8, which promotes safe and secure working environments for all workers.

• Target 8.8: Protect Labour Rights and Promote Safe and Secure Working Environments: This event serves as a reminder of the universal need for occupational safety standards, regardless of the industry. Creating hazard-free environments is essential to preventing injuries and fatalities at work, contributing directly to the goal of decent work for all.

3.2 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The principles of preventing falls extend beyond the workplace to the broader community, aligning with the goals of SDG 11 to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Target 11.7: Provide Access to Safe and Inclusive Public Spaces: The fundamental concept of creating safe physical environments—whether in public spaces, homes, or workplaces—is critical to preventing accidents. Engineering and design standards that account for the safety of all age groups, particularly the elderly, are essential for building sustainable and safe communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected

   The article primarily connects to one Sustainable Development Goal:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     This goal aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The article’s entire focus is on a specific health event—an accidental fall leading to fatal injuries and death. It details the medical cause of death (“blunt trauma to the head,” “subdural hematoma,” and “stroke”) and mentions contributing historical factors (“substance abuse issues”), all of which fall under the purview of health and well-being.

2. Specific Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 3 can be identified:

   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases

     The article states that Ace Frehley suffered a “stroke” as a result of his fall. A stroke is a non-communicable disease (NCD). While the initial cause was an accident, the death was a result of medical complications including an NCD. The target aims to reduce mortality from such diseases through prevention and treatment. The article notes that a “procedure to evacuate the subdural hematoma” was performed “to no avail,” highlighting the treatment aspect of this target.

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse

     The article explicitly mentions that Ace Frehley left his band in 1982 “amid substance abuse issues.” This directly relates to the target of strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. While the article does not link substance abuse to his death, its inclusion provides context to his life and health history, which is a key concern of this target.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article implies information that could be used as data points for measuring progress toward the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 3.4

     The article provides a specific instance of mortality that would contribute to Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease. The mention of a “stroke” as a contributing factor to the cause of death is a direct data point for mortality from cardiovascular disease. The entire report on his death serves as an anecdotal example of the kind of mortality this indicator tracks.

   • Indicator for Target 3.5

     The article does not provide quantitative data for an indicator but highlights the existence of the problem addressed by Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders. The mention of “substance abuse issues” serves as a qualitative reference to the societal health challenge that this target and its indicators are designed to monitor and address.

4. Summary Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.	3.4.1: The article provides an instance of mortality where a “stroke” (a cardiovascular disease) was a contributing factor, which is measured by this indicator.
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.	3.5.1: The article’s mention of past “substance abuse issues” highlights the societal problem that this indicator (coverage of treatment interventions) aims to measure.

Source: tmz.com