R.I.P. Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman

BY Josiah HughesPublished May 2, 2013

Jeff Hanneman, a founding guitarist for thrash metal titans Slayer, has passed away at the age of 49 after suffering liver failure.

The news comes via Slayer's Facebook page, where they shared the following statement:

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.

Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 – 2013)


Hanneman suffered from serious medical troubles in recent years, stemming from a spider bite that caused him to contract necrotizing fasciitis (aka flesh-eating disease). The health problems caused him to miss the band's summer tour last year, but it's unknown if they were a contributing factor in his liver failure.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

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