Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman passes away

3 May 2013 | 9:44 am | Staff Writer

Jeff Hanneman, guitarist and founding member of iconic thrash metal group Slayer has sadly passed away, aged 49.The band have issued the following statement today:"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 was a founding member of the band, contributing both lyrically and musically to every Slayer album. Hanneman was responsible for some of the band's most popular songs, including 'Raining Blood', 'Seasons in the Abyss' and 'Angel of Death'.

Jeff Hanneman, guitarist and founding member of iconic thrash metal group Slayer has sadly passed away, aged 49. Hanneman succumbed to liver failure in a California hospital earlier this morning.

The band have issued the following statement today:

"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 had been off the road since 2011, after contracting necrotizing fasciitis - likely from a spider bite. It is unknown if the disease had any role in Hanneman's liver failure.

Hanneman was a founding member of the band, contributing both lyrically and musically to every Slayer album. Hanneman was responsible for some of the band's most popular songs, including "Raining Blood", "Seasons in the Abyss" and "Angel of Death".