Ace Frehley of the band KISS has died, his family have announced.
The devastating news comes after the band’s original guitarist was placed on life support after suffering a bleed on the brain following a fall in his studio several weeks ago, which led to the cancellation of his upcoming tour dates.
His family said: “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!”
Frehley was in KISS, pictured here in 1982 ( Getty Images)
After his fall and the subsequent cancellation of his tour, a statement posted on his official Instagram page on 25 September reassured fans: “He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.”
However, a week later, another statement was released: “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates.”
Frehley was a founding member of KISS alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. He played guitar for the band from 1973 to 1982 before leaving due to creative differences and struggles with substance abuse.
After departing KISS, Frehley embarked on a solo career, forming the band Frehley’s Comet, which performed together from 1984 to 1988. He rejoined KISS for their 1996 reunion tour, the Alive/Worldwide Tour, and stayed with them until 2002.
Frehley was a founding member of KISS alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. He played guitar for the band from 1973 to 1982 before leaving due to creative differences and struggles with substance abuse.
After departing KISS, Frehley embarked on a solo career, forming the band Frehley’s Comet, which performed together from 1984 to 1988. He rejoined KISS for their 1996 reunion tour, the Alive/Worldwide Tour, and stayed with them until 2002.
Last week, it was revealed Gene was rushed to hospital following a car crash. He was taken to a Malibu hospital after fainting at the wheel and crashing his car into a parked vehicle.
Gene, 76, crashed his Lincoln Navigator into a parked car whilst driving along the Pacific Coast Highway after passing out. He was taken to hospital but has now been released and it recuperating at home, according to his wife, Shannon Tweed.
Liam Payne’s sister Nicola has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the singer a year on from his tragic death. The One Direction star died last year following a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina aged 31.
A year on, his family have been sharing devastating messages. Now, his sister Nicola has said today “marks a date I never wanted to see again.”
In an emotional message shared on Instagram, Liam’s sister shared: “A year ago today marks a date I never wanted to see again. The day our lives changed forever and our hearts were left broken, with pieces missing. That night, unaware of what you were going through, that you were alone.
His two sisters Ruth and Nicola have shared their pain ( INSTAGRAM)
“Me and Ffion watching Dinosaur on the TV and me saying to her, Next time we see Uncle Liam, he’ll be able to tell you all the dinosaurs, as he loves them. I didn’t know that as those words left my lips, and the pictures I took of the dinosaur to show you, that still sit on my phone today, that there wouldn’t be a next time.
“There wouldn’t be that chance to do something so normal to everyone else. It would never happen for us. The next thing finding out you had gone. Without a moment to comprehend, we found out with the world, praying the world had got it wrong until hours passed and it was confirmed.
“We didn’t get to say goodbye, we didn’t know all of the lasts had already happened. We sit and listen to the world’s view, a view of what we should be doing, what they think they know, and like a lot of your life, it just doesn’t seem fair. We have only received a minuscule amount of the ridicule you received in life and in death and, it’s been unbearable.”
She continued: “Over the past twelve months, you’ve never left my thoughts. We retell stories to bring you closer. I apologise and I thank you all the time for everything you have done for us and all that you allowed us to see. Those memories will be cherished forever.
Nicola penned a heartbreaking message on the anniversary of Liam’s death ( INSTAGRAM/np2788)
“I continue to acknowledge you every day, as though you are still here with us. I talk about you with Ffion and include you in everything we do, searching the sky for the brightest star, because that’s Uncle Liam. Calming the rain before we walk to school, because that’s Uncle Liam.
“Seeing a rainbow, a butterfly, a cloud, because that’s Uncle Liam. Accidentally losing a balloon that floats gently towards the sky, knowing that means Uncle Liam has joined the celebration. But with these moments comes a pain, a pain that will never heal. There is always something, someone, missing, and I know that will remain for as long as I live.
“We will continue to talk about you always, so the kids know the precious, kind, outstanding, so utterly talented, one of a kind uncle they have. We will ensure Bear knows everything about the amazing daddy he has, not just your achievements and success over the years, but all of the things that made you you.
“The little jokes you used to tell as a kid, the things we’ve laughed about over the years, the little pranks, your thoughtfulness, how you cared, your laugh, your wish for everyone to succeed. You always loved to be our cheerleader, and the plans you had, so many plans.
“My hopes and dreams for you are still the same. That you are happy, that you know how loved you are, that you are at peace, that you have friends up above, people you can chat to, people you can be you with, that funny, loving person you are.
Liam’s family have shared heartbreaking tributes
“I hope you still light up the spaces you enter, that your laughter brightens people’s mood, that our nans and grandads are getting you to perform whenever they get a chance, and that crowds appear to listen to the boy that sings and smiles like he was born to do. But now, I also hope that you are able to watch over us from the best seat in the house.
“Sometimes I find comfort in believing you can see the things I want to share with you, but other times it breaks my heart that we can no longer hear about your life or tell you about ours.
“I also hope that you are proud of us, and that if you are, you continue to feel proud. We really are trying here, but sometimes it’s just so damn hard. I don’t want you to be a picture on my shelf or a video on my phone. I want you here with us, where you should be.”
Nicola ended: “I love you, Liam. I will never not miss you, and will forever be so proud of you.” Liam’s sister Ruth also shared her own message to her little brother as she said she has been “paralysed” by the grief.
Liam had flown to Argentina for a five-day holiday with girlfriend Kate Cassidy to see his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s show. Their trip got extended to two weeks, with Kate later flying back to Miami days before his death.
Liam’s blood showed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescription anti-depressants, which would have left him severely impaired. Two suspects have been charged with supplying drugs, and both deny the allegations.
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Today marks one year since One Direction singer Liam Payne fell to his death from a balcony at a hotel in Argentina and social media has been flooded with tributes to the star
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Liam Payne was just 31 when he died (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Celebrities are paying tribute to Liam Payne on the first anniversary of the singer’s tragic death. The star, best known for being one of the five former members of One Direction, died on October 16 2024, aged 31, after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Argentina.
A post-mortem examination report said Payne died of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from a balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Liam’s older sister, Ruth, has also shared a tear-jerking tribute to the singer, revealing she has been left “paralysed with grief.”
In her long letter to her brother, Ruth went on to say that Liam’s death will never “make sense” to her. She went on to say she is frequently having the same nightmare – being in Liam’s hotel room, just moments before he fell to his death.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Anne Twist, the mother of Liam’s former bandmate, Harry Styles, shared All On The Board’s touching tribute, reading: “Rest in peace, Liam Payne. We are shocked and lost for words. It’s a tragedy that you have passed away so young; you will be forever loved, always missed and never forgotten.
READ MORE: Liam Payne’s sister Ruth says his death will ‘never make sense’ in heartbreaking tributeREAD MORE: Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy’s tear-jerking tribute on anniversary of death
“You will live on in all the songs you sung. May heaven be a paradise for you where you’re safe and nothing can hurt you, may you feel the love from earth in your new home there; sending so much love to those who loved you, your family, your friends, your One Direction brothers and the directioners. And so much love to your son Bear.”
Liam’s former One Direction hair stylist, Lou Teasdale, shared a picture of the five lads packed inside the back of a bread van while on their stadium tour in South America. The chart-mauling band hid inside the van in order to escape the stadium unnoticed, without thousands of fans following them.
Zayn Malik’s sister, Waliyha, said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Today is exactly one year since you are no longer with us, we continue with the routine, but it is difficult to forget you from one day to the next. You will always be in our thoughts, Liam. We will love you and miss you for life.”
1D’s former security guard, Paul Higgins, also shared a very moving tribute, alongside a collection of images of Liam taken over the years. Paul penned: “October 2023, exactly one year to the day before you left us!
“We took a road trip around Ireland, a simple journey with good friends… yet it became something more!! A week of love, hope and prayer. We were back on the road again…not knowing how precious these moments would become forever!
“Love and miss you always brother! A gentle, special soul! Rest easy.” Elsewhere, One Direction’s drummer, Josh Devine, shared a snap of himself and Liam taken at a rehearsal studio, alongside: “One whole year,” with a broken heart emoji.
Former Union J singer, Josh Cuthbert also shared a snap of Liam, alongside the caption: “1 year ago the world lost Liam Payne, it must not be forgotten. The music industry as a whole let him down MASSIVELY. It let me down on countless occasions, and I feel grateful for still being here. It was nearly a different story, and there were plenty of times I didn’t want to be here anymore; the music industry played a huge part in that situation, too.
“But unfortunately not everyone can get through it, just look at how many young lives we have lost to mental health… Not just in the music industry but as a whole. Mental health continues to destroy so many young lives. Which is why we need to continue spreading awareness and speak about these difficult topics.
“It HAS to stop and we all can play our part. Speak to people you think are suffering, offer support, offer a safe space for them to open up. Making that someone feel less lonely is a HUGE first step to getting better. Let’s continue to speak about this, so we have less great people, like Liam, leaving us far too soon.”
Earlier this month, Louis Tomlinson revealed Niall Horan informed him about the death of the pair’s former One Direction bandmate Payne, saying “we all looked up to him”.
The 33-year-old said Payne had been pushing for a reunion of the band, which also included Harry Styles and Zayn Malik. Speaking to host Steven Bartlett on The Diary Of A CEO podcast, Tomlinson said he was in Los Angeles when he first heard of Payne’s death.
“In the car, in LA. I found out through Niall,” he said, telling Bartlett the news evoked a similar reaction to when his sister Felicite died of an accidental drug overdose in 2019.
“I had the same feeling that I had with Felicite, and I think anyone has this when they’re around someone who’s struggling; my 150 per cent wasn’t nearly enough. And that’s when it’s my own arrogance thinking that I could have helped really, because it was so much deeper than what I could have done for him. He was definitely struggling at that time in his life.”
Tomlinson also revealed that Payne had been campaigning for a One Direction reunion, but he said it would not feel “right”. “Never say never… but I’m just not sure it would be right to (Payne),” Tomlinson said.
“Say for the sake of argument, 25 years’ time, it’s like a f****** Oasis thing, they offer us an arm and a leg, and they’re like, ‘Come back and do this many shows’, I don’t know. (Payne’s death) just completely put a pin in all of that. And the irony is, there was no one campaigning for One Direction to get back more than Liam. I would say I came in a close second.”
A court in Argentina dropped charges in February of criminal negligence against three out of the five people who had been charged in connection with Payne’s death.
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At the BRIT Awards in March he was remembered with a video montage which showed him with his family and a clip from his time on The X Factor and then with One Direction, who won seven gongs at the music awards before they split up.
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for KISS, is reportedly on life support in hospital following a brain bleed. The 74 year old rock legend, also known as The Spaceman, suffered the injury after a fall in his studio a few weeks ago, leading to the cancellation of his upcoming tour dates.
Despite being on a ventilator for some time, his health has not improved. While there are rumours circulating on social media that he has died, TMZ reports that as of Thursday afternoon, he remains on the ventilator.
After his fall and the subsequent cancellation of his tour, a statement posted on his official Instagram page on 25 September reassured fans: “He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time.”
Ace is said to be on a life support machine ( Getty Images North America)
However, a week later, another statement was released: “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates.”, reports the Mirror US.
Frehley was a founding member of KISS alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. He played guitar for the band from 1973 to 1982 before leaving due to creative differences and struggles with substance abuse.
After departing KISS, Frehley embarked on a solo career, forming the band Frehley’s Comet, which performed together from 1984 to 1988. He rejoined KISS for their 1996 reunion tour, the Alive/Worldwide Tour, and stayed with them until 2002.
Last week, it was revealed Gene was rushed to hospital following a car crash. He was taken to a Malibu hospital after fainting at the wheel and crashing his car into a parked vehicle.
Gene, 76, crashed his Lincoln Navigator into a parked car whilst driving along the Pacific Coast Highway after passing out. He was taken to hospital but has now been released and it recuperating at home, according to his wife, Shannon Tweed.
Shannon, 68, told press that Gene is doing fine as she explained that her husband’s car had careened across a few lanes of traffic during the accident. She added that Gene’s doctor had recently changed his medication and needed to drink more water as a result.
Shannon said the rockstar is not particularly fond of drinking water. Two years ago, Gene suffered dehydration during a KISS concert in Brazil as he became ill on stage, which forced the concert to be paused.
He took to X to assure fans he was okay and in a message he said: “‘Hey everybody, thanks for the good wishes. I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, experienced weakness because of dehydration.
“We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious. Tomorrow, Bogota Stadium. See you there!”
Gene later said: “Ok, kids. Not a big deal. Thanks for your kind wishes. Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song. We got back on stage in 5 minutes & finished the show.”
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Liam Payne’s sister has spoken out in a moving tribute on the anniversary of his death. The late One Direction singer tragically died aged 31 a year ago today. He was staying at a hotel in Buenos Aires when he fell to his death from the balcony of his third-floor room.
Since his heartbreaking death, Ruth has shared a string of tributes to her little brother on social media. However, on the anniversary, she shed light on her grief, as well as shared stories about her sibling. A year on, she says she’s been “paralysed” by the grief as she still attempts to navigate her life without Liam.
In a heartbreaking social media post, Ruth said: “1 year, 12months, 52weeks, 365days… whichever way I say it, it still means the most heartbreaking truth that you’re not here any more. When you used to go away on tour, and I’d cry that you’d be gone for a while, I always knew you’d come back, but now I can’t get you home, I can’t meet up with you somewhere in the world, I can’t facetime or text to see how you’re doing, it’s an eternal homesick feeling because we can’t go back.
Ruth shared an adorable throwback snap of her younger brother, Liam
Liam was seen smiling alongside his sisters, Ruth and Nicola, as well as his beloved mother, Karen
“I underestimated grief, woah did I underestimate it. I am paralysed by it daily. I thought I had felt it before but I know the losses before you were just intense sadness, you are the loss of my life, the one person who I will miss at every single occasion in my life. I’d taken for granted that my little brother would be there through life, what a cruel lesson to learn in our 30s, that a sibling is not guaranteed to be a lifer, that I have to face this without you.
“Your death will never make sense, no matter how much I study it, whatever angle I look at it, it never makes sense. You shouldn’t have died. I have a reoccurring nightmare where I am in your hotel room just before it happened and you can’t hear me screaming for you, my brain is locked on your last minutes on this earth, the unaccounted minutes, the minutes I will never have the answers to, the minutes that changed everything.”
Ruth revealed she was ‘paralysed’ by the grief ( roo0990 /Instagram)
She went on to add: “So much has happened in a year, so much to tell you, our kids have changed massively, you would continue to be in awe of your son! I’ve definitely got funnier (I know you’re thinking how is that possible right?!) – some of the jokes I make really make me smile because I know they would have earned me a ‘ruuu’ off you, I’ve visited some beautiful places but each place has confirmed, no matter the view, I will still feel your void from all corners of the earth.
“Theres so many things that have happened where I’ve tried to imagine what would be said if you were in the room, how you would expect me to react or handle things for you, maybe a ‘Liam would love this’, or alot of ‘Liam would be fuming this is happening’ but then the thoughts are followed by the emptiness of your absence.
“I’m sorry I have not been able to keep my promises to you in the event of your death, it will forever haunt me how little I have been able to do as you said. We were so naïve in our conversations about this serious stuff in how much of the law is in death, outdated laws we never knew existed where nothing is simple, why would we know about them in our early 30’s, the devastation just sinks deeper with every bit of you I fail.”
Liam struggled to contain his smile when around his beloved family ( roo0990/Instagram)
Continuing, Ruth said: “I saw a post on TikTok that said something about ‘If you had 5 more minutes with the person you miss the most, what would you do? I’ve thought about this alot, 5minutes to properly say goodbye to you. It’d be at your house. I’d want to be in the room first so that I can hear your feet and ankles clicking as you walk towards it and then get that feeling of joy the moment you walk in, with your shoulders in the unique way they hang. I’d then ask for us to go and walk around your garden, this was always where we would really catch up on plans and things that were bothering us.
“We’d stop to listen to the bird noise, you’d say ‘It’s a woodpecker that is’ and I’d agree knowing nothing about birds. I’d tell a joke and you’d laugh in your kidish way, with that twinkle in your eye. We’d walk round to my car, you’d quip ‘my father drives a jaguar’ (noone has made this joke to me since you’ve been gone). We would hug, a tight bear hug, the only hug that made me feel calm, I’d tell you how proud I am of you, not just proud of your job, proud of the person you are, we’d leave on the love you mate,’ and as I drove away, you would be stood waving in my rearview mirror.
Ruth shared a string of anecdotes about her little brother
“If someone would have asked me on the 17th October 2024, as I sat assessing the giant gaping wreck that had been left, if we’d all get through this, I’d have said not a chance, the life of our family had been completely extinguished, and even then I knew it was impossible to mend. I think of my grief as a clock, I explained to you years ago when I was nagging you to be better at answering your phone, that my head was like the “Weasley’s clock” out of Harry Potter, where it would check everyone in our family in before I could switch off and with you travelling the world, it’d really need your confirmation of being safe and sound before I’d settle. Only now, there is a number missing off the clock, which means nothing in my days makes sense, and it feels like no one is safe and sound.
“You died, which is something that happened, but your absence is something that happens to me every day before I even open my eyes. I am now the girl who looks robins in the eyes just in case it is you, the girl who hopes the butterfly ahead lands on her in case it is you, the girl who says ‘goodnight Liam’ to the stars each night just in case that’s where I will find you.
“Wherever you are, I hope you can hear me, I hope you are guiding me, and I hope you know the love I have for you is infinite. I hope I get the chance to be your sister in every lifetime. For a year, I have watched people speak and draw conclusions on Liam and his death, a spectator of the most triggering interviews and comments, without any warning or heads-up that my persons death is about to once again be discussed publicly, whilst I am desperately trying to resume my normal life that doesn’t fit around my grief or me anymore.
Liam had been holidaying in Argentina when he tragically died ( liampayne/Instagram)
The singer was just 31 at the time of his death ( Getty Images for MTV)
“Whilst I am still on my knees struggling to regain balance since my world burned down and every time I try to take a step, something comes and sets fire to all the progress I thought I had made in my mind, in trying to understand where or why Liam isn’t here helping me through this.
Everyone only seems interested in the public side of this; some sadly seem more interested in the fame they can gain off this, but on the human side, people need to remember when they speak, there is a son without his Dad, parents without their child, and I am lost without my brother. Love always Liam, in every lifetime.”
In the weeks leading up to the anniversary of his death, police are still trawling through 800 hours of CCTV footage, as well as examining Liam’s personal laptop in order to piece together his final days. Two suspects have been charged with supplying drugs, and both deny the allegations.
Currently, no trial date has been set for the two suspects, who have remained behind bars since January. Hotel cleaner Ezequiel David Pereyra is awaiting trial for allegedly selling cocaine to Liam. Meanwhile, Braian Nahuel Paiz, 25, is also accused of supplying cocaine. They both face 15 years in jail if convicted.
Liam’s blood showed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescription anti-depressants, which would have left him severely impaired. Liam had flown to Argentina for a five-day holiday with Kate to see his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s show, but this extended to two weeks, with Kate later flying back to Miami days before his death.
If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.
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Naked Gun star Ed Williams has died. His granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, confirmed that he died on October 2.
She revealed that Williams, who played Ted Olson in ABC’s Police Squad, died aged 98 in Los Angeles. Williams, born Edwin Wallace Williams on November 26, 1926, he died just days after his former Father of the Bride co-star Diane Katon, who died aged 79.
Before moving to LA in 1955, Williams had a successful career in theatre and radio productions. He later began teaching speech classes at LA City College, which led to his casting as Olson on ABC’s Police Squad!
In a 2017 interview with Matthew Worley of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Williams reflected on his career, stating: “I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting.” Police Squad! first hit the screens in March 1982 with a series of six episodes, before transitioning to Paramount Pictures with The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
Ed (left) died in Los Angeles, his granddaughter ha confirmed ( Paramount)
There was a staggering 24-year period when Ed didn’t audition for any roles, stating: “I do not approve of professors that go out and moonlight and make a lot of money on the side and neglect their classes. That used to make me mad to hear that.”
As his teaching schedule began to free up, the actor seized the chance to plunge back into the industry. “I felt like the [guy] who’s been trained to be a surgeon, but he didn’t quite get in the operating room. I wanted to get in the operating room.”
Fans have since taken to social media to pay tribute, with one writing: “RIP Naked Gun’s Ted!” A second added: “#RIP Ed Williams, perfect as lab scientist Ted Olson on ‘Police Squad!’ and the original ‘Naked Gun’ films. As a teacher, he had put aside acting for 24 years. ‘I do not approve of professors who go out and moonlight and neglect their classes,’ he said.”
“Rest in peace, Mr. Williams,” commented another. Ed’s co-star Diane died from pneumonia, it was recently revealed. The Annie Hall actress passed away on 11 October at the age of 79 and her family have now revealed her cause of death in a new statement, in which they thanked fans for their “extraordinary” messages of support.
Diane’s family told People magazine: “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11.”
The family suggested those who wanted to pay tribute to the Godfather star could make a donation to one of her favourite causes.
They added: “She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”
It was previously reported that Diane’s health had “declined very suddenly” before her death. A source told People magazine: “She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.
“It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit. In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”
In March, Diane put her “dream home” in Brentwood, California, up for sale, despite previously vowing to stay there forever, and she was no longer regularly seen in the area walking her dogs.
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