Friday, May 3, 2013 2:15am ET by  
Comments (0)

, , , , , , , , ,

Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies

Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman has died of liver failure aged 49.

The musician passed away on Thursday (May 2) and leaves behind a big influence on the thrash metal scene.

Hanneman has sat out of Slayer tours since 2011, when he contracted a flesh-eating disease that was believed to be the result of a spider bite.

In a statement about his death, the 'Reign In Blood' stars said:

"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed."

Hanneman's 2011 incident saw the guitarist initially placed in a medically induced coma and nearly lose his arm, but it is unclear whether his liver failure is connected to the disease.

The musician was one of Slayer's founding members, who formed in 1981.

 

 

 

 

Watch Jeff perform with Slayer below: