Friday, May 10, 2013 10:30am ET by  
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Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman died from alcohol related cirrhosis

Slayer have announced that guitarist Jeff Hanneman died because of "alcohol related cirrhosis".

As previously reported, the 49-year-old thrash metal pioneer passed away on May 2 after suffering from liver failure.

The musician was recovering from a flesh-eating disease acquired via a spider bite in 2011 and it was originally unclear if the death was connected.

However, Slayer have posted a statement on their website announcing that Hanneman passed away due to an alcohol related condition. They said:

"We've just learned that the official cause of Jeff's death was alcohol related cirrhosis. While he had his health struggles over the years, including the recent Necrotizing fasciitis infection that devastated his well-being, Jeff and those close to him were not aware of the true extent of his liver condition until the last days of his life."

The statement continued: "Contrary to some reports, Jeff was not on a transplant list at the time of his passing, or at any time prior to that. In fact, by all accounts, it appeared that he had been improving – he was excited and looking forward to working on a new record."

 

 

 

 

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